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Cancel all cards immediately. The sooner you do this, the better. While Visa and MasterCard offer zero-liability policies (with some stipulations) for unauthorized debit and credit card transactions, federal law allows debit card liability up to $500 if you inform your bank of a theft within two days; wait more than 60 days and you could potentially face unlimited liability. For credit cards, a maximum liability of $50 is possible if you incur charges before reporting the card missing.
Tip: Keep a list of relevant bank and credit card phone numbers to quickly contact them if you need.
Tip: Limit the number of cards you keep in your wallet. Only carry what you need to use.
Consider a Credit Freeze. A credit freeze offers stronger protection against new account fraud than a fraud alert. It prohibits creditors from accessing your credit reports or score, effectively thwarting most (but not all) attempts to open new credit in your name. Keep in mind, a freeze will prevent you from being able to obtain instant credit, and it remains in effect until you choose to “thaw” your credit file.
Contact numbers
Equifax (800) 525-6285 | Experian (888) 397-3742 | Trans Union: (800) 680-7289
Tip: Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet.
Tip: Don’t carry your Medicare card in your wallet unless you are going to a medical appointment.
Contact your bank immediately. Close your checking account, any connected accounts, and request a stop payment on all stolen check numbers. Open a new account with a new number. Once you contact your bank directly, state your case and requests in writing. Check fraud can be especially complicated.
Related Article: Time for a CARD Act for Checking Accounts?
File a Local Police Report. In many states, a police report must be filed when a license is lost or stolen. Some states offer fraud alerts that can be placed on driver’s licenses. In cases where law enforcement pulls over somebody trying to pass as you, the officers will require additional forms of identification.
Contact USCIS. If you’ve lost your green card outside of the U.S., first contact the nearest U.S. consulate, USCIS office, or port of entry.
Notify U.S. State Department. Contact the State Department immediately at 1-877-487-2778. If your passport was issued outside of the United States, notify the issuing country’s embassy.
Contact your insurance carriers. Ask for a replacement policy number. This can protect you against unauthorized claims being filed on your account. the issuing country’s embassy.
Contact the issuer. Ask for a replacement policy number. Consider a new password, where applicable.
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