My wallet is gone. I lost it, or someone stole it—I don't know. All I know is somebody found it. And spent $280 of my money at Kmart. Awesome.
Now, I lost about $30 in cash, my driver's license, my health insurance card, and plenty of other cards from stores and businesses, but what I was most concerned about was my debit card.
For one thing, it's the only credit/debit card I have, and I don't have any cash hanging around my apartment—without it I have nothing but my checkbook and, um, good looks. Besides, my debit card isn't $50 or $100 or something like that... it's access to all the money in my account. Some of which now belongs to Kmart.
Before I noticed my wallet was missing, my bank (PNC) left a message on my phone questioning some of the recent purchases made from my debit card. I get these calls every so often—and the purchases always turn out to be mine—so I didn't think it was that big of a deal until a couple of hours later when I reached for my wallet and it wasn't there. Crap.
I called PNC and a representative put a hold on my card and filed a fraud report, which is step one in getting my money back. Originally, I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to write checks (since the debit card was connected to my checking account), but because my wallet didn't contain any checks or anything, that part of my account remains accessible—although slightly lower in funds.
Anyway, losing my wallet was a huge inconvenience, but I managed to mostly keep my cool, and I'm getting a new card in a couple of days, so I suppose life goes on. I learned a couple of things, though:
- I guess this should be a no-brainer, but always keep your wallet securely inside your purse. Mine was in an easily accessible side pocket, which is why I think someone took it.
- Make sure your wallet/bag never contains any extra information, like your debit card's PIN. This wasn't a problem for me, but it would have made it a whole lot easier for someone to access my money.
- Call your bank ASAP when you get a message about your account. Even if someone has already made one fraudulent purchase, you might be able to cancel the card before any more damage is done.
- Keep some cash—maybe like $40—or an emergency credit card at home. That way you won't be completely out of funds if you lose your wallet. (I mean, I couldn't even buy gum at the Subway stand until my mom drove up to lend me some cash.)
- Don't freak out. It sucks, it really sucks—but it also happens all the time.
Have you ever lost your wallet or credit/debit card? Do you have any tips on preventing or handling the situation?Image Source
Comments (19)
Someone stole my debit card... even though I still had it with me. My guess is that they used a scanner to dupe the card. It was my debit card so it was more difficult to get my money back. From then on I now only use my credit card. With cc's it's generally easier to get your money back.
damn that really sucks for you. i hope i never experience anything like this... but don't they need a pin number for your debit card?
Nah I've never lost mine, but hey, it happens. I feel for you, and I think you handled it quite well.
I've lost my whole wallet before because four ghetto guys stole it. It had all my credit cards, cellphone, house keys, car keys. They even tried to buy shitty rap music on my cellphone. I quickly disputed every charge and fraud alerted all my accounts. My suggestion...to be preventitive is to sign up with lifelock. I pay 10 bucks a month, but the 10 bucks goes a long way. If at any time your wallet is stolen they will call up all of the companies and freeze your accounts. Their fraud protection stands at around 2 mil. I think. Oh, btw, those nasty guys who stole my wallet were arrested a month later! KARMA! hope everything works out for you.
@Saelee2009@xanga - Not always, sometimes you can run it through like credit.
@feelslikejuly@xanga - I saw the Lifelock commercial on TV. I wish someone would do a review of it. But that's great the thieves were arrested, how were they caught?
Tips:
Read your bank's fraud protection policies to know your risk
Most banks have a maximum daily withdrawal or maximum single purchase limit on their debit cards, which is generally done to limit your risk to fraud. If you don't do large purchases often, consider calling your bank and asking them to lower the daily withdrawal limit. If you need to spend amounts larger than your maximum call your bank to inform them of your intentions that day, they can temporarily suspend the limit. This is a great way to limit the amount at risk of fraudulant charges.
Keep most of your savings in an account not tied to your debit card, only put amounts into your account that you could reasonably use in a week, this limits amounts they have access to steal.
Keep the number for your card servicer in an easily accessible place other than your wallet/purse, that way you can call them to cancel the card quickly. Your bank shouldn't need your account number to do this.
Your bank might offer fraud insurance, and it is generally cheaper than lifelock or other commercial services.
Don't sign the back of your card, write "check ID". If the cashier reads the back, it is much harder to fake an ID than a signature. Only works if they check though
Always use the "credit" option when using your debit card, the transaction will act like a debit, but it will be run through the credit transaction system, which generally has a lot more protections built in than the debit system.
@PerpetuaLMondaY@xanga - Apparently they tried to rob their taxi driver. lol.
@FIFA_World_Cup_2010@xanga - damn... well i never used debit before only credit and then i just pay it off online so no interest builds. well good luck to you.
Ugh, I lost my debit card about 6 months ago, has to be one of the lousiest feelings :( I'm sorry this happened to you.
i've never lost a card, though I only use cash anyways and I don't really carry a wallet around
Someone somehow got my debit card information and spent nearly $300 using my information. Thankfully, I have online banking and check my account every day to make sure everything looks normal, so I caught it literally the same day it preauthorized on my account and the next day (I saw it after the bank had closed for the day, so I had to wait until the next) I went to the bank and explained everything, so they halted my account and cut up my debit card in front of me. I almost cried, because that was the only way for me to have money for my 21st birthday (this all happened a little less than a week before I turned 21 :-/ ) Anyway, they were able to refund all my money and issued me a new debit card and such and everything is fine now. The purchase was made across the country, so I'm not quite sure how someone got my info, but they obviously did.
For all of you who think that its better to use the credit - debit thing, where you say credit and pay with debit,
its stupid and dumb, and it doesnt work everywhere. Just be honest.
I haven't lost my debit/credit cards but I have had to change my cards due to security issues at least 3x if not more. I keep my wallet inside my purse (obviously).
i have roommates at my house and before we kicked them out they stole my husbands debi card and our camera and a friends computer. they stole $300-400 from my husband and sold the cameras and computer. so i know how it feels to be completed taken.
You really got youeself in a predicament. As you said it happensall the time and no one beliefs that it could happen to them. Thanks for the tips on how to prepair yourself.
I lost my wallet while I was skiing. I worked on the mountain as a lift operator, so I knew everyone on shift. My co worker/friend/carpool person was griping that she wanted her portion of the gas money that day in cash. I cashed my check, gave her the pocket rape she demanded and stuck over 200 buckaroos in a hidden compartment.
The irony? She suggested a black diamond run. I ate copius amounts of crap, my wallet was missing and was "magically" discovered by lost and found 2 hours later completely devoid of cash.
She who was "broke" had a new cell phone and cd's the next day.
I couldn't say jack because I couldn't prove it but I knew it was her.
So yes...I've lost my wallet.. I've felt the anger...
I had my debit card...but my whole check...
was gone.
argyty arg.
I've occasionally misplaced my debit card, but thankfully I've never had anyone take it. I know how shitty that feels just thinking it might have been taken, it's sucks yours was actually taken :(
PS How easy was it to get the money back? And how long does it take? Just wondering in case it ever does happen to me...
I notice people keep all their money in one place. I keep my cards in my wallet & my money someplace else. That way if I lose one thing, I have something else. My dad told me to do that on vacation. Let me tell you, it may stink but I would feel no shame taking off my shoe & pulling $20 out my sock if something happened & I had to get home in someone because some dick stole my wallet.