HELP! Sons wallet was stolen, how can I minimize

[Radke]

My son managed to lose his wallet last night. He got a call from his credit card company asking if he had made charges this morning that he didn't make. Obviously, who ever got his wallet is now doing what scumball thieves do.

So, the credit card has been cancelled, his bank has been notified. What would be some next steps to help minimize further damage? I'm concerned that the person who now has his ID will start opening accounts and so on, the standard ID theft stuff.

[MossyOarReelCreek]

If your son's bank has online access to view his accounts. Then if he doesn't already use it he should begin now and review his account several times daily. Report any items debiting his account that aren't his. If his account information was compromised. It is very easy to pay for things over the internet or the phone. The items would post to his checking account as an ACH (electronic tranfer) item. There could also be counterfiet checks made. It is best to close his account and open a new one. You as a consumer and contact the 3 major credit bureau companies and put on a "consumer statement" to alert of potential identity theft and/or fraudulent accounts. Filing a police report may help law enforcement tie the suspects to other cases they may be working on. I am a Commercial Banker and deal with fraud far too often. Hope this helps.

Ron

[trouttroller]

Radke, Go to washington county web sight http://www.co.washington.or.us/cgi/home/washco.pl and click on sheriff, then crime prevention, then ID theft. Great information there

[Firedog]

https://www.experian.com/consumer/ca...=SECURITYALERT

https://www.econsumer.equifax.com/co...ard=contact_us

http://www.transunion.com/content/page.j...=TransUnionHome