WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR WALLET

My boyfriend’s wallet went missing. We looked for it everywhere, tearing our apartment apart in search for the allusive wallet we both feared was gone forever. We called the last place we remembered having it, the grocery store, but no one had turned it in. His wallet had everything in it, and with a looming trip, we began to panic over the thought of replacing everything in time for our getaway. For starters, how would we get our rental car? His driver’s licence and credit card were both gone.

But then something amazing happened. There was a knock at my door and a man, Bill from the City of Toronto, stood there wallet in hand. He had taken it by mistake at the grocery store the night before. He had thought it was his, and when he showed me both I agreed they did look very much alike, your standard men’s leather wallet. Everything was in it, and when I offered Bill a reward he refused.

We were lucky. Research out of the UK showed that only one in five wallets is ever returned.

So, if you’re one of the unlucky ones, what do you do? Which cards do you need to replace first, who do you contact, and how long will it take?

Here’s your guide to getting your cards in order again if your wallet is lost or stolen.

1) Notify your bank

The first thing you want to do is phone your bank and/or financial institution to let them know your cards are missing. It is recommended you cancel your credit cards immediately. Most major banks will have 24/7 customer service lines that can help you immediately. Call them as soon as you realize your cards are missing. They will then issue you a replacement card which, in most instances, will be done on the spot.

2) Don’t forget about those other credit cards

If you have a credit card outside of your bank, such as with a retail store, make sure you phone and cancel those cards as well.

3) Replace your Driver’s License

Depending on which state you live in, the process will be slightly different. However, they all begin with a trip to your Division of Motor Vehicles. Most of the time these replacements can be issued on the spot or you may be given a temporary licence until your replacement card comes in the mail. You will have to pay a replacement fee.

The catch here is that in order to get a card replaced, you need to be able to prove who you are with a photo ID. Your passport is one option. You may also be asked a series of questions to confirm your identity before a replacement card can be issued.

4) Birth certificates and Passports

You should never carry your birth certificate, social security card, or passport in your wallet or purse. These pieces of identification put you at a higher risk of identity theft and are also more difficult to replace. If any of these items were in your wallet you must report them lost immediately.

5) Credit Bureaus

Notify the thee credit bureaus immediately.

6) Contact List

Probably the most important thing you can do in anticipation of losing your wallet is to create a comprehensive contact list containing the names and/or numbers of your:

• bank(s), banking accounts;

• all credit cards;

• credit card lost card/recovery departments;

• department store credit card/line of credit departments;

• drivers license;

• medical insurance ID number;

and any other contact number or address that will be critical in returning you to your former state. Make sure to keep the list at home or in a safe deposit box.

Tips for future reference:

Only carry the cards you need on a daily basis. In most instances you probably only need one credit/debit card for emergencies.

Never carry your birth certificate, passport, or SIN card in your wallet or purse.

Replace your driver’s licence first. It will make it easier to acquire subsequent replacements.

Keep your phone number in your wallet. When Bill found my boyfriend’s wallet, he told us he looked through it but only to try to find a contact number which wasn’t there. The grocery store owner directed him to us.

Check your “other” messages folder in Facebook. You never know how somebody is going to try to get a hold of you.

Make a comprehensive contact list and store it in a safe place and not in your wallet.

by Sheena Lyonnais

© 2014 TLC Magazine Online, Inc.