Help...DD's savings bonds were stolen

[mickeyluv]

Just wondering if anyone knows how we need to go about recouping these savings bonds/money if at all. Our home was broken into and our safe was stolen and all of DD's savings bonds were in there . DD's grandparents had been giving her savings bonds every year since she was born and stupid as we were, never went to the bank and got a safety deposit box to put them in, we put them in our safe which was extremely large and heavy by the way. DH researched and found a phone number and talked with someone who told him that we needed the number off of the savings bonds but we don't have these numbers as we never thought to record those numbers anywhere. Does anyone have any advice on what we need to do or who we need to contact? DH is a state employee and is going to our SECU tomorrow to hopefully get some answers also but wanted to see if this had ever happened to anyone here. TIA!!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

wasn't her name and yours on the bonds? so someone else couldn't cash them, right?

 

[klynn]

Maybe the grandparents have numbers from when they bought them?

 

[buckler]

There is a form for lost or stolen bonds online. It appears that you don't have to have the bond numbers and exact dates.

http://www.treasurydirect.gov/forms/sav1048.pdf

 

[quentina]

I know that the treasury can reissue without numbers. CLose friends of ours had their house burn down with the bonds in them. It took about a year but, they did get the reissue.

 

[NYCDiane]

Savings Bonds typically have the name/social security number of the person receiving it. Sometimes, the person who gifted the bond will also list their name and social security number on the bond application. The grandparents should still have their copy of the application. Ask them also if they put their name/social security numbers on the bonds.

No one can legally cash them in without proper ID showing they are the owner or co-owner of the bond.

 

[buckler]

If you were planning on using the bonds towards your daughter's education, you should research the rules regarding savings bonds and education before you ask for the bonds to be reissued. One of the rules about the interest being tax exempt if used for education states: "You must be at least 24 years old on the first day of the month in which you bought the bond(s)" so a bond in your child's name would not qualify. When the bonds are in the child's name the interest is not exempt from income tax unless the child's income is low enough that they don't have to pay income taxes.

http://www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/planning/plan_education.htm

You might want to have the bonds reissued in your name with the child as a beneficiary. Then have your parents purchase any future bonds in your name with your DD as beneficiary.

 

[mlittig]

I can't offer any advice but just wanted to say I was sorry

 

[mickeyluv]

Thanks for all the support and advice!

DH did ask his dad about if he had copies and he doesn't have the numbers. He bought them from the bank (don't really know alot about buying savings bonds as I have never purchased one) but he said he doesn't have any numbers or copies. Dh's name was on them also if our recollection serves us right. Thanks for the link buckler...this is not the link we had I don't think. We will definitely look here! And thanks for the tip on the tax exempt/interest rule! Really appreciate all the responses!

 

[buckler]

One more thought. Have you thought about the fact that your social security numbers were on documents in the safe? This puts all of you, including your daughter, at risk for identity theft. In fact, it's probably worse in the case of your daughter because theft of a child's identity can go undetected for years.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/FinancialPrivacy/StolenInnocenceChildIdentityTheft.aspx

For the adults it's a fairly simple process to put a fraud alert and a freeze on your credit. However, for a child you have to do this in writing and the process is more complicated.

Did the thieves also get your birth certificates? That will make things worse because with a birth certificate and social security number it would make it even easier to take over your identity, even apply for a new driver's license. Call the DMV and Social Security to alert them. Also, carry a copy of the police report with you in your vehicles in case you are stopped by police for something you didn't do (but someone else did pretending to be you).

http://www.idtheftcenter.org/artman2/publish/v_fact_sheets/Fact_Sheet_104.shtml

 

[dcfromva]

Sorry your daughters savings bonds were stolen. I have had bonds reissued without knowing the serial numbers using the 1048 form. The treasury dept can do a search using a date range and other different search criteria (name or social security number). The more details you are able to provide, the easier it will be for them to find the bond.

The substitute bonds will be reissued as they were originally inscribed.

If you have a lot of bonds, you may wish to convert your paper bonds over to electronic bonds. The Treasury Direct web site has information on how you can do that. Link to Smart Exchange...

 

[3boymthr]

Hi, So sorry this happened to you. It's so hard to have someone break in and steal your stuff.

I had my savings bonds stolen a while ago. I was able to get them all replaced. I reported what information I did have: Approximate denominations, names of the people who had purchased them and their SSNs (I lost ones I had received for graduation and wedding presents so they came from a bunch of people), my name and my SSN. I got back more than I requested - every single bond ever issued to me was replaced. It took a couple of months for me to get the new bonds.

 

[MN Disneyfan]

I just wanted to say how sorry I am that you were robbed. My house was robbed 3 months ago. It does get easier as time goes on.

 

[mickeyluv]

Just wanted to post again how appreciative I am in all of your posts!! That is why I love these boards...such a great support system!!!!

 

[dhuba]

If you have a lot of bonds, you may wish to convert your paper bonds over to electronic bonds. The Treasury Direct web site has information on how you can do that. Link to Smart Exchange...

Thanks for the link. This will make managing our children's bonds a lot easier.