DD's purse was stolen, need help quickly!

[eeyoresmom]

DE just had her purse stolen. The police told her to contact Equifax so that no one could use her info to open accounts. She went online to do this and apparently there is a charge for it. I know that 2 years ago the state of Massachusetts accidently sent out personal information of about half of the registered nurses in the state. I was able to sign up for the monitoring without charge. Does anyone have any advice ? TIA

 

[buckler]

There shouldn't be a charge for a fraud alert to be put on her account for 90 days. Go here:
http://www.equifax.com/answers/set-fraud-alerts/en_cp

There will be a charge if you do a credit freeze, but for now, get the fraud alert in place. You can also call 1-800-525-6285 to do it by phone.

Make sure you cancel her library card, Blockbuster card (if anyone uses them still!) etc. You don't want someone checking out items in her name and being responsible for them not being returned.

 

[buckler]

Two more useful links:
http://www.idtheftcenter.org/artman2/publish/v_fact_sheets/Fact_Sheet_104.shtml
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/FinancialPrivacy/StolenInnocenceChildIdentityTheft.aspx

 

[ambgoph]

If she has a police report, there is no charge - make sure to contact all 3 credit agencies.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thank you! The thief used her debit card at a supermarket 20 minutes after he stole her purse. $317!

 

[*Seanaci*]

If DD was carrying debit or credit cards, call and cancel them now...have them re-issued with a different number.

 

[Soon2B4]

Stores have cameras so hopefully that will help find the person!

 

[dawson5]

Thank you! The thief used her debit card at a supermarket 20 minutes after he stole her purse. $317!

high end seafood and steaks?

Good luck on getting it stopped before real damage is done.

 

[StephMK]

high end seafood and steaks?

Good luck on getting it stopped before real damage is done.

Alcohol? Though you think they might card for that.

I wonder if someone was shopping while he was stealing the card. How did he rack up that much so quickly? I would think a big cart of steaks & seafood would be remembered at a register so maybe if he bought something odd, they will track him easily.

I'm sorry for your DD, that would be a huge hassle as well as scary - is she doing ok?

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Many supermarkets have gift card kiosks now. They may have bought a bunch of gift cards for other places and plan to use them (or sell them to some unsuspecting person) before the gift cards can be cancelled.

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I just wanted to say I hope she gets it all figured out and everything canceled in time! I just recently, actually yesterday, had to go through something like this. Somehow someone got a hold of my bank card information and made charges on my bank card, this then put me in the negative and has been nothing but a big whirlwind for me. I am still at a loss since I have my card with me and have had it since all this started. And, it has been over a month since I made a purchase online anywhere and always use Paypal or secure sites. Anyways, long story shory, she will have to sign an afidativ and such saying that she did not make the charges and it will be a pain but she should get her money back!

Well wishes for her!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Immediate notification to all card lenders/library/movies places, tc etc. Then Notify all three Credit BUreaus online, (equifax, Experian and Transunion)
Let them know that her cards were STOLEN, Get/Keep copy of P/Report. Reporting bureaus can flag her credit and if ANYONE applies or tries to access it, they are FLAGGED.
SOrry this happened.....she did not have security card in there right?
Just a reminder that NO one should carry their ss card OR med ins card unless you are going to be using it that day (or you are in a trip, then place in vault/safe!)

Good Luck, again, sorry, some really mean people out there

 

[OceanAnnie]

I hope it all gets sorted out soon. Were her keys in her purse? If so, I would change the locks to the house.

 

[Purseval]

Thank you! The thief used her debit card at a supermarket 20 minutes after he stole her purse. $317!

I thought you needed a PIN for a debit card.

 

[buckler]

I thought you needed a PIN for a debit card.

If it's a debit/credit card you can select "credit" and you don't need to use the pin.

 

[princessmom29]

If it's a debit/credit card you can select "credit" and you don't need to use the pin.

If they have her SSN they can also call the bank and get the pin that way, if the card ahsn't yet been flagged as stolen.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thanks everyone. The market that he used the card in is a 2 minute walk from her house. ( where the purse was stolen) They do have store video of him and employees of the store recognize him as a regular, so he will probably be caught. I have been praying for him since we found out a supermarket was the first place he went. There are many other stores in that shopping plaza and he is very young,( probably a teenager). He could have tried for clthes, electronics, etc. I will keep you all posted if anything more happens. Thanks again.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Thank you! The thief used her debit card at a supermarket 20 minutes after he stole her purse. $317!

aww, how awful!!

 

[SOnotLayuh]

Thanks everyone. The market that he used the card in is a 2 minute walk from her house. ( where the purse was stolen) They do have store video of him and employees of the store recognize him as a regular, so he will probably be caught. I have been praying for him since we found out a supermarket was the first place he went. There are many other stores in that shopping plaza and he is very young,( probably a teenager). He could have tried for clthes, electronics, etc. I will keep you all posted if anything more happens. Thanks again.

Your poor daughter!! Make sure you keep us updated!