Illusion, go to this website below and you should find all the resources you need regarding identity theft. Definitely call the three credit bureaus. You will find contact numbers for them somewhere on this website.

Identity Theft Clearing House: http://www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm

St Cirq, I don't think that you are crazy. I think that those who don't quadruple check important things especialy when they have nothing else to do, are the crazies.

I my defense i am 22, and this is my first trip oveseas. I never thought to check my creditcards, becasue i assumed they were safe in my hotel room, and i did check them the afternoon before when i packed up my stuff and they were all there. And that morning I was more concerned with my passport and getting to the airport on time. I was very excited to be going home (a little homesick for my boyfriend,) so i had alot of other things on my mind.

Don't beat yourself up over this....things happen. Count this as a good lesson learned and get on the phone right away. Keep records of all your phone calls and who you talk to about the problem. In addition, be sure and double check that everything is ok with your credit a few months from now and then a few months after that. Not to be alarmist, but don't assume that since nothing is going on now, it won't at a later date. Better to stay on top of the situation and make sure it doesn't happen again. On a lighter note, remember the good times you had and don't let this taint the memories of a hopefully great trip. Good luck!

OK, illusion, I actually buy the "I'm 22 and it was my first trip overseas" defense. I'm sure I wasn't quite so anal about keeping track of my valuables at that age. Come to think of it, I probably didn't even HAVE credit cards at that age. Consider it a lesson learned - you'll be a lot more careful next time and, I hope, won't go leaving credit cards in a hotel room. And do follow up and make SURE everything's canceled properly.

I am sorry for your loss, but equally I would like to draw your attention to this statement from your 2nd post:

"I left them in my room because I thought the would be safer their and away from gypsy fingers"

Maybe if we substitute the word "black" or "jewish" for the word gypsy we will more readily see this for what it is - racist.

I hope that, and am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, this was written when in turmoil and anger over the finding of your missing credit cards - I find it more disturbing and more disappointing still than no other poster seems to have mentioned it.

Casual racism has, God knows, long been the scourge of Europe. Lets pray that one day we can leave it behind us.

illusion, think back, maybe you left them at a shop or restaurant. I took out my little case of credit cards from my purse when I was looking for something else, laid it on a counter and was ready to walk away when the clerk called me back. I would have thought later than they had been stolen.

It just pays to keep your mind on what you are doing and it is hard to do when you are on a trip or wanting to get home.

Lessons learned.

Everyone knows that some/many/alot of street gypsies pickpocket tourists, it is common knowledge.

When i was 22 I was married, my baby was 1 year old and the only credit card that I was able to get, was Sears....Ah..times have changed..

In this day and age, perhaps people know (or maybe they don't) that Gypsies are a recognized ethnic group. However, when I was growing up, I thought 'gypsies' were just people who followed a nomadic lifestyle. (Definition of 'nomadic', according to www.dictionary.com: no?mad
1) A member of a group of people who have no fixed home and move according to the seasons from place to place in search of food, water, and grazing land.
2) A person with no fixed residence who roams about; a wanderer.)

People who live nomadic lives are often characterized as 'homeless people', and historically, are often mistrusted and/or seen as petty criminals just waiting for an opportunity to strike.

My point is, people who use the word 'gypsy' are not always referring to a member of the recognized ethnic group. Therefore, the accusation of racism might be a bit hasty and harsh.

wow going from freaking out about stolen credit cards to being called a racist.

Sorry, that was a definition of the word 'nomad' not 'nomadic', but anyway, I hope my point is clear.