Did you know that you own a fortune? That’s right, a gold mine is laying at your fingertips--a wealth of information that can come in quite handy to a crook known as the identity thief.
Identity thieves use your credit card and checking accounts to establish new accounts in your name. That could create an identity crisis that can take months to detect, and even longer to unravel. So if your wallet is lost or stolen, the Federal Trade commission suggests that you:
- File a report with the police immediately.
- Cancel each credit and charge card.
- Report missing cards to the major credit reporting agencies. Ask them to flag your accounts and add a "victim’s statement" to your file.
- Report the loss to your bank, and stop payments on outstanding checks.
- Report your missing driver’s license to the department of motor vehicles, and get a new number.
- And change the locks on your home and car if your keys were taken.
Resource: Federal Trade Commission
[ Home | Your Money | Get Organized | Tightwad Tidbits | Living Better | Safety & Privacy | Buyer Beware | Kids & Money | About CEU | Search ]
|
|
| Web site coordinators: Jamie Thompson Sandra McKinnon Site evaluation: Cynthia Crawford Last updated: March 09, 2005 |
Web site established
by: Kate Akers Mark Belwood Cynthia Crawford Sandra McKinnon Diana Hammond |
University of Missouri Extension does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran in employment or
programs.