I think I lost my wallet.....

[hyphenate]

So instead of looking for all the irreplaceable items therein, do I just try to replace them as much as I can? I've never lost my wallet before.

My ATM card was in it, my EBT card was there, my passport, my state ID, pictures of grant-nephew, nephew and friends' lids. A mini-calculator was in it, my Costco card, my AAA card, my hospital insurance card, my health insurance card, my SS card, and a few other things that I can't think of at this exact moment. Some can be easily replaced, but others, like the pictures, can not. There is very little money in the account to the ATM card, and it doesn't function as a credit card for other than cash in the account. The EBT card requires a pass code as well, the Costco card has my picture on it. My passport would also be unusable.

The problem is, it couldn't have gone anyplace that a stranger could have gotten it. It went from my hands Christmas Eve, and I stayed at a friend's house that night. The next day, we didn't go anywhere other than to my friend's niece's house. That's it. The only horrific scenario is that it ended up in a bag going to the dump.

So, should I still order dupes of the replaceable cards, or try to see if the wallet finally shows up? As it's never happened to me, it's kind of hard to know what I should do.

[WI_DEM]

1. If you have credit cards in there, let them know immediately

they will no doubt cancel those cards and send you new ones.

[mcscajun]

2. Same goes for the ATM card.

Your liability is limited so long as you notify the bank in question. No notification to the bank, and the account could be emptied and the bank wouldn't be liable. Of course, this presupposes they'd also have the code. Some people (GASP!) write it on the card or, just as bad, keep it on a slip of paper in their wallet.

Consider that all the items you've lost enable a simple job of total identity theft, and I think you'll be spending a lot of time on the phone and writing letters in the next few days. Sorry to say that, but you've got to protect yourself.

If worst comes to worst, check out this site: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

And good luck to you.

[LiberalFighter]

3. You should NEVER have your SS card anywhere except home...

The only time you should have it with you is when a govt agency or other legitimate reason.

[sbj405]

4. I lost a credit card once. They were actually able to place a hold on it

That'll give you more time to search and also not have to worry about anyone using it. I has many accounts linked to the cc so I didn't want to get a new one if I didn't have to.

[hyphenate]

5. Good news!

My girlfriend found my wallet. Unfortunately, I also had cancelled two of my cards, so I'm SOL for a couple of days. At least I don't have to worry about the rest of the stuff in it. :)