FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2018
RE: WHAT TO DO IF YOUR WALLET IS LOST OR STOLEN
While you’re struggling with packages and bags of presents, identity thieves see an opportunity to steal your wallet and debit or credit card numbers.
According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs, there are 5 steps consumers should take, the first of which should be done NOW before anything happens: 1) Make copies of all your credit cards, ID cardsand licenses – everything in your wallet (both sides); if the card is stolen, 2) Call the companies that issued your credit cards. This should be done at once and you should follow up with a letter; 3) Call the three nationalcredit-reporting agencies and ask them to attach a fraud alert to all your credit cards; 4) If your social security card is missing, call the Social SecurityAdministration. Also, be sure to call the Department of Motor Vehicles, as well as any other organizations from which you lost cards; 5) Callthe police if you were a victim of theft. You may be required to show a police report to support your claim that a crime was committed.
Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.