Credit card theft question
 

I am always extra careful whe traveling. While in transit I wear a pouch under my clothing with my most valuable documents, cash, etc. If I wear a fancy pack it is under a jacket or sweater. I make sure my travel companions are savvy about pickpockets and small children who get too close. <BR> <BR>Whie shopping in a Southern California mall yesterday I let my guard down for just a short time and someone managed to unzip my purse and steal my wallet. Of course, that means I must now get all new credit cards, drivers license, ATM card, etc. The cash seems secondary. I did have a couple of blank checks. Naturally, I leave shortly for Europe and this now adds some stress. (Thank you for letting me "talk" about this.) <BR> <BR>My question (finally) is: I saw on this board not too long ago a list of credit agencies such as Experian and their phone numbers. I did a search but nothing came up. Could someone come up with the three names of the agencies that were listed? I feel I need to call them as someone out there has a lot of information about me and in this day of identity theft, I want to cover all my bases.

Diane, someone recently sent me this in an e-mail. Maybe it will help you. <BR> <BR>We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your name, <BR>address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I (author of this piece) <BR>have first hand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and <BR>within a week the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, <BR>applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway <BR>computer, received a PIN number from the DMV to change my driving record <BR>information on line, and more. <BR> <BR>Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or to someone you know. As everyone always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily because having to hunt for them is additional stress you WON'T need at that point! <BR> <BR>File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen; this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). <BR> <BR>But here's what is perhaps most important: I never ever thought to do this. <BR>Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place <BR>a fraud alert on your name and SS#. I had never heard of doing that until <BR>advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made <BR>over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks <BR>your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you <BR>by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost 2 weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done (there are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert). Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks. The numbers are: <BR> <BR>Equifax 1-800 525-6285 <BR>Experian (formerly TRW) 1-800-301-7195 <BR>Trans Union 1-800-680-7289 <BR>Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at 1-800-269-0271 <BR>

Diane, <BR> <BR>The Experian # is 888.397.3742

Thanks xxx and jk. That was exactly the post I was looking for. I did call the police this morning. I didn't think of the social security admin. This is great advice. I hope more people read this thread and print it out.

<BR> <BR>upupupupup <BR>great information!

That is all interesting information. The person giving the "horror story" is anonymous and received it by e-mail from an unnamed person. I am not saying this doesn't happen. I don't think I understand Experian--the site seems to be a credit MARKETING site. And a word of further caution--I would NEVER give my SS number to anyone I didn't know needed it definitively. At any rate I will give some first hand info for getting a credit card should it be stolen in Europe. Have all the numbers for reporting at your fingertips. You CAN get a replacement card overnight (next business day) if you demand it--in Europe (my unfortunate experience was in France) or in the US. Week-ends cause a delay of course.

Well, as I just got a copy of all of my credit reports, which included an Experian report, I think it's more than just a marketing site. <BR> <BR>This most certainly DOES happen (luckily not to me, but to my brother and also a close friend), which is probably why xxx is remaining anonymous. If you've ever had the horror of being a victim of identity theft, you're so much less likely to put out any identifying information on the internet that anyone else. <BR> <BR> <BR>xxx, thanks for the information. I'm not sure what Gretchen's problem is.

I don't have a problem with what was said about identity theft--I know it happens and has to be a horrendous experience. I just couldn't find on the Experian site anywhere that matched what seemed to be being said. I obviously don't understand what they do--I guess it is a credit report service. I will further investigate it and keep it in mind. <BR>I was, however, trying to be helpful in the area of replacing cards on an immediate need situation. Perhaps someone would not be not aware that they can be replaced overnight so you would not be inconvenienced on a trip.

A further update and a thank you again for the tips. How horrible it must be to be the victim of identity theft. I am always fearful as we are obligated to give out personal information to so many people. <BR> <BR>I had blank checks for two banks in my wallet. Washington Mutual stopped the check at no charge. World Savings Bank charged me $18 for a stop-payment. I was able to reach someone at Washington Mutual over the weekend; could not reach anyone at World Savings over the weekend. <BR> <BR>Bad note for Washington Mutual, though, is my request to expedite sending me a new ATM card as I leave for Europe next week. They refused. It will come by mail and it will take 5-10 days -- period. I offered to pay for the expedition -- they still refused. <BR> <BR>I am cancelling both accounts, by the way. <BR> <BR>DMV -- two hour wait in line today (they will not make appts for same day) so I made an appointment for tomorrow. Always call and make an appointment. <BR> <BR>There were some other non-credit cards in my wallet and phone calls took care of all of them and I should have replacements within a week. <BR> <BR>I put fraud alerts out with the three credit bureaus. And I have great peace of mind now that I have done that. It means that if anyone calls for a credit report the credit bureau will first call me at a number I have given them before releasing information. This is good for seven years. Why wait for something bad to happen? If it's possible to put a fraud alert out I think everyone should do it. <BR> <BR>I was upset about the theft on Sunday, but I now look at it as an "educational experience". I hope some of you benefit from this unfortunate incident. At least it happened near home and not overseas. I will be taking phone numbers with me just in case. What are the odds are that I would be robbed twice in a month? <BR>

Forgot to mention -- American Express was wonderful. They are going to have my new card to me tomorrow. It would have been here today, but yesterday was a holiday. Three cheers for American Express. <BR> <BR>VISA -- strange policy. They are mailing me my new card. But I probably won't have it before I go to Europe. Even if I do get it in time. They will, however, send it to me at my first hotel overseas. I have to call them the day before I leave and give them the address of my first hotel and I will have it delivered there within a day or two. So, why can't they do that here? Doesn't make sense to me and is most inconvenient as I have shopping to do before I leave.

Hi Diane, sorry to read about your misfortune of having your wallet stolen. I don't know if you happened to see my post on one of these threads a couple of months ago, the same thing happened to my daughter-in-law while she was in the Lakewood mall. Those suckers are fast aren’t they. Hope you get all your cards replaced and that it doesn't negatively impact your trip. <BR>Regards <BR>Art <BR>

Glad you contacted the three credit reporting companies. Very important that you do so. Also, very important that you contact your department of motor vehicles and social security administration. Anyone taking a trip should make a copy of their passport and front and back of all credit cards they take with them. Keep in a separate place. It makes it much easier to contact credit card companies and U.S. Embassy if you have copies of everything with you. Also, American Express is one of the best to deal with if your card is stolen. They really go out of their way to assist you.

Very happy to report that my wallet was lost, not stolen. Of course, now I feel stupid but happy nonetheless. When I got home last night I had a message on my machine that it was turned in at Robinson's May Dept. Store. I was surprised when I saw every there, including the cash. So nice to know there are honest people out there. Of course, I had cancelled everything, but still view this as a learning experience. Got my new American Express card this morning -- they have been wonderful.

Just remember that people can "steal" your credit card without actually having it. We used ATMs and almost exclusively used cash on out trip to Italy. The last few days were in Rome and we splurged on an expensive meal. We paid for that meal and our hotel with the credit card (actually a Visa check card). Three weeks after we returned, long after we reconciled all our purchases with our account, we got hit with alomst $3,000. worth of charges..more than cleared out our account. We had all of our cards in our possession but they had all the numbers they needed. Keep track of your purchases!