My wallet was stolen earlier today. I believe my wallet was stolen by a pickpocket in a Times Square subway station.
In my wallet I had my social security number as well as my drivers license, credit cards, etc.
I have canceled the credit cards and will report the stolen wallet to the police.
In an abundance of caution, because my social security number and date of birth are now in someone else’s possession, I want to look into those services that help guard against identity theft.
My question is, does anyone have experience with these types of companies? Can someone recommend one over the other?
Your date of birth is a matter of public record; it was probably even published in the local newspaper when it happened. And it’s not that hard for people to get your SSN, especially if they aren’t worried about legality.
Actutally that is the exact circumstances which I got my identity stolen. I left my wallet in a taxi.
The big thing that caught me out is however stole my ID used it to open bank accounts and bounce checks. These did not appear on my regular “big three” credit reports, as the banks use a different credit agency called Chex Systems. I had though I’d sorted everything out but years later when I tried to open a bank account, I failed as there was erroneous data in my Chex Systems report. So I’d check that too.
By advising the credit reporting agencies of a possible fraud you are basically trying to get them to deny any requests for instant credit. For instance, I can go into any large department store, apply for a credit card and walk out with a substantial amount of merchandise. All they have verified is that the information I gave on my application is true. If a fraud alert is on your account the store will hopefully (but not certainly) not give credit without sending a letter to your address of record. Once they have given credit and marked it as delinquent, that information will go on your record until you get it removed.
First of all you should understand that you will not be able to get instant credit. Actually, this is a good thing, but if you expect it, it will be upsetting when it is denied to you. You also need to confirm that all three reporting agencies have acknowledged (and applied) your fraud alert.
You might also consider subscribing to one of the services that monitors your credit reports and advises you of any change. This will cost you a couple of bucks. I’m not sure if this is really worth it if all three reporting agencies have fraud alerts because there is not much more you can do, but it will give you a head start on repairing some of the problems.
I did not know about ChexSystems. That looks like good information.
A couple of years ago my wife’s pocketbook was stolen, so we went through all the processes. She had to go to MVD to get a new driver’s license, and got a new Social Security Card after phoning in. They advised here never to carry the card, keep it safely at home.
A bit of advice I read long ago is never to carry your wallet in a back pocket. Easy picking for a pickbocket. Either keep in in one of the side pockets, or better yet, put it in a shirt pocket or in your jacket inside pocket.
In public places, I keep it in my side pants pocket and keep my hand inside that.