Lost wallet with lots of personal info. Identity theft? What to do

rossyl

rossyl

rossyl

Soldato
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Hi

I lost, or someone took, my wallet. In it was all my bank debit/credit cards (now cancelled), my driving licence (shows home address) and my business card showing where i work.

With all these details someone could easily start a bank account, get a credit card etc.

What do i do to protect myself?

The only info i've found is how to stop it, or what to do when its happened. What about prevention?

I'm going to look into www.annualcreditreport.co.uk and try and check to see if anyone has applied for anything.

Identity theft insurance. Will this give me any benefits?

Be very grateful for any advice.

Thanks.
 
First thing to do is to contact the bank/dvla that your wallet is missing so they can send replacements... I think you have to pay for a replacement license. It may be a good idea to ask your bank to keep a closer eye on your account?

Sign up to creditexpert, or a similar company that will send you alerts if there is a change to your credit report
 
CIFAS, you basically notify them that you are at risk so to speak and they in turn notify you of any credit agreement that is taken out in your name, whether that be a mobile phone contract or a mortgage.

Experian will only tell you that a credit agreement has been taken out, after the horse has bolted I am afraid.

http://www.cifas.org.uk/
 
Hiya

I had my purse stolen a couple of weeks ago. When I reported it to my card agency (Cardguard) they offended me identity theft protection - which I bought for £70.

Unfortunately, Identity fraud people don't try anything immediately - they usually wait a couple of years... them you'll get an application for a loan coming through and be like wtf?!

I haven't actually had my policy through yet though... will chase them today.

BB x
 
Thanks guys for all the help.

Thing is what do you do?

Do you stop carrying your driving licence?
Do you stop carrying business cards?

Those are the two things that can absolutely screw you when it comes to losing your wallet. But you need your driving licence in case you ever get asked for ID. Thing is I look about 25, only numpties ask me for ID but it can still ruin a night out if you don't have it.
 
rossyl said:
Thanks guys for all the help.

Thing is what do you do?

Do you stop carrying your driving licence?
Do you stop carrying business cards?

Those are the two things that can absolutely screw you when it comes to losing your wallet. But you need your driving licence in case you ever get asked for ID. Thing is I look about 25, only numpties ask me for ID but it can still ruin a night out if you don't have it.
Click to expand...
I've never lost my wallet and carry those things. I'm aware that's possibly half luck, half me being careful.
 
Your business card alone is not a form of valid ID under any circumstance. I get given probably 8 or 9 a week and they'd be utterly useless to me in trying to commit any kind of ID fraud.

The DVLA cancel your driving licence on your instruction and then issue a new one. The stolen/lost one is useless if it has a picture on it.

Call your bank, tell them what happened and ask them to ring you if anything suspicious happens. This is in their interestss as much as it it yours. They're used to this type of thing.

ID-fraud protection is, IMO, of a similar value of worth as loan protection is on a loan, i.e. none at all. It's a rip-off and the T&Cs involved in most of the ones I've seen absolve the insurer of virtually any liability whatsoever. Avoid.

Be sensible, speak to those you need to speak to and you will be fine.
 
aye they cant really use your drivers license unless they look like you ? places usually ask for 2 types of photo ID too in my expierience
 
1) most likely someone found your wallet kept the cash and threw in in a bin / hedge.

2) You need more than a drivers license to open a bank account, although everything is easily faked (including the drivers license - do you know how to spot a fake?).
 
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