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My wallet was stolen :-(

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LesleyH

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Aug 28, 2000
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I am so mad. I was shopping at Marshall''s tonight while I was waiting for my son to finish his clarinet lesson. I put my purse down for a split second and turned to hang a blouse in front of me in front of the mirror. The thieves were so quick that they managed to unzip my purse, grab my wallet and put my glasses back where they found them !!! I did not even see them. I only realized when I went to check out. I had my cellphone clipped on my waist and my car keys in my hand (my purse is teeny as I have back problems). Thank goodness I had all the contact info for the 3 credit cards I had in there and within 10 mins of realizing they were all cancelled. In that short time there were purchases of gas, toys and 2 airline tickets. I alerted the airlines who looked up the passengers by my credit card #, and they said that they would have security there at the airport to greet them tomorrow. They were extremely grateful that I called as they reversed the charge so they will not lose money (I am protected).

I will need to get a new drivers'' license and I have a friendly cop in my driveway tonight for the night - besides that, all is good
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Please ladies...do not put your purses down for a second - I was in a good neighborhood.

LesleyH
www.whiteflash.com
 
wow, that''s the pits....but you were certainly on the ball with your reaction! good work! however, what is a ''good'' neighborhood? even gated communities can have their problems.....from within.

movie zombie
 
Oh no. That''s terrible. I''m sorry Leslie.

I would be too furious to THINK... but you were completely in command of a bad situation.

Still, it''s a horrible pain in the neck... sounds like you filed a police report too, which is a good thing in case of identity theft.
 
Yes, I did file a police report. The craziest part of that experience is when I told the police about the airline tickets and their opportunity to catch them tomorrow - all they needed to do was call the airlines and get the details. Well, the policewoman helping me said it was just her job to take the report and that I would hear from my assigned officer in 7 - 10 days!! Give me a break!! If I was a cop I would have been there in a second....

LesleyH
www.whiteflash.com
 
Date: 6/13/2006 2:00:07 AM
Author: LesleyH
Yes, I did file a police report. The craziest part of that experience is when I told the police about the airline tickets and their opportunity to catch them tomorrow - all they needed to do was call the airlines and get the details. Well, the policewoman helping me said it was just her job to take the report and that I would hear from my assigned officer in 7 - 10 days!! Give me a break!! If I was a cop I would have been there in a second....

LesleyH
www.whiteflash.com
Click to expand...

Keeping in mind that I have very little actual idea of this... I THINK that by buying airline tickets with the credit card it becomes federal... if not that then... the airport is federal territory, once you''ve notified the airline... they will be taken into custody.
Not at all sure about that... but it''s ringing a bell.
 
Gypsy - sounds like that might be the explanation. I have to say they were very nice to me and had an officer here outside the house before midnight.

LesleyH
www.whiteflash.com
 
Date: 6/13/2006 2:19:11 AM
Author: LesleyH
Gypsy - sounds like that might be the explanation. I have to say they were very nice to me and had an officer here outside the house before midnight.

LesleyH
www.whiteflash.com
Click to expand...
The officer outside is peace of mind... and after the night you've had, you definitely need that.

Warm milk and honey calms me... so do the herbal caffience free teas I have. Do you have anything like that? You must be a ball of nerves. Do something to take care of yourself... not your financials or your identity or anything like that... for your body and mind for a while. I'm glad you came on here, it's nice to reach out and have someone there when your in a situation like this.

Take care of yourself... you've been violated. It's a difficult thing.

ETA: Hope the rest of your night is better, Leslie. I'm on eastern time here so I'm going to have to hit the sack. But my good wishes go out to you.
 
Thanks for being online so late at night - it sure is nice to have someone to speak with when everyone else is sleeping
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I have eaten ALOT of chocolate tonight....

LesleyH
www.whiteflash.com
 
Ahh chocolate. Yes. I understand the chocolate. Endorphins. But be careful with the caffiene... you''ll be up all night with twisting thoughts chasing you... and you need some TLC.

You''re welcome Leslie, any time. I''m sorry I can''t stay up longer.
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I know it''s helping you.
 
Good! Sleep well.
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What an awful thing to happen. The anxiety it causes is horrible. Isn''t it amazing how quickly people can steal something? And within 10 minutes all those purchases.

The thing is, there is no such good thing a ''good neighbourhood'' - bad tihngs happen everywhere.

The thing you really have to be careful of now is identity theft. Unfortunately, this happens a lot.
 
that stinks :{
Be sure and call the credit reporting agencies and put a verify lock (think that''s what they call it, where they have to call you before granting any new credit) on all credit transactions.
That will help stop them from using the data for identity theft.
 
prayers outgoing for a peaceful and uneventful night and the quick capture of the crooks.
 
I''m sorry this happened!! I''m at a loss of words... They''ll get caught, and the main thing is that you''re ok (meaning no pysical harm/struggle). Good thing you caught it so fast!!! How in the world did they do that much damage in that little time??? I''ll definately keep my purse closer to me... Again, sorry fo this to happen
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Sorry to hear about this!

Hopefully after a good sleep you will feel better and the crooks will be in custody
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*hugs*
 
Leslie ~
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Hugs to you!
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Stupid good for nuthin'' crooks!
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I hope they do show up at the airport and the Fed''s get um!

I hope that your night is calm and you can get some rest ...
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Take care and keep us posted!

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I cannot believe that someone would be stupid, yes stupid, enough to charge airline tix on a stolen card. In this day and age, to think they are not being tracked, blows my mind.
 
Date: 6/13/2006 3:46:32 AM
Author: strmrdr
that stinks :{
Be sure and call the credit reporting agencies and put a verify lock (think that''s what they call it, where they have to call you before granting any new credit) on all credit transactions.
That will help stop them from using the data for identity theft.
Click to expand...
This is excellent advice - my husband''s wallet was stolen and of all things in the world to carry he had his SOCIAL SECURITY card! That is very difficult to replace - you have to prove not that you were born but that you exist! A real aggravation!

I did call and have locks put on the credit agencies. We applied for something recently and they wouldn''t approve it before talking with us. It does work - it''s just a shame that for a stolen wallet you can be victimized over and over again.

The stolen wallet is a nuisance - the stolen innocence is something else again. You never look at the public at large in the same way. Maybe it''s a good thing - but you hate to be suspicious of everyone you walk by. No warm fuzzy feeling there. . . I am sorry that this happened to you. Here''s hoping today is a much better day for you!
 
ah, yes lovely houston. we have tieives and pickpockets in houston. which marshalls, by the way?

my friend lost her purse at the walmart on fry road. someone lifted it when she turned her back very smooth.

cain''t wait to hear who they are when the get ''em at the airport!
 
Oh, Lesley, I have nothing much helpful to add except to say that I am so sorry that happened to you. And thank you for the warning... I know I am quite guilty of turning my back on my purse. I will be more careful.

Take care of yourself. And oh... have more chocolate! The deep, dark, rich kind is really therapeutic!
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Lynn
 
Lesley, I''m a twice over victim of pickpocketing, and know just how you feel. Am so sorry you had to go through the theft of your wallet. I''m glad you were so on top of things and had the presence of mind to eat some chocolate. I recommend Dove chocolates -- for everyday eating, the dark is more "healthy" but in emergency situations the milk is best. Be sure to lay in a good stock as you never know when you will need some more to counteract delayed shock and stress.

In fact, let''s everybody mail Lesley some chocolate at WF
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Please keep us updated about the status of the pickpocketers and if they are caught!
 
i''m sorry to hear that! at least you weren''t hurt in the process and you were able to quickly cancel the accounts. hope you are feeling better this morning.
 
Lesley, so sorry that you have to go through this. Having been in the same situation myself I feel for you. And you gave a good reminder--never never never turn your back on your purse for even an instant!
 
Lesley,
Big hugs!!! That stinks, but this reminder will help all of us. I am known to do the same thing, but you just can't. I will be very careful from now on. Hope you finally got some sleep and will have a better day today!!!
Lisa
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I think we have all done that, and thought it was fine. It is such a violation. Credit cards you can cancel and are not held liable, what about photos and things you cannot replace? That is the worst part. And knowing they have your license with your address etc...nasty. I cannot imagine they were too bright to buy tickets for the next day and that they are going to use them?! Duh! Like the Keystone cops!
 
Lesley,
I am so sorry this has happened to you. That is just awful.

You should consider putting a 90 day fraud alert on your account with the three major credit reporting bureaus. It does not cost anything and will keep anyone from opening up new credit cards in your name (though hopefully they''ll all have been arrested before they can try this). Doing this with just one of the three bureaus will result in all three of them being informed of the situation, so you don''t need to contact each of them.

Equifax (www.equifax.com) 800-525-6285
Experian (www.experian.com) 888-397-3742
TransUnion (www.transunion.com) 800-680-7289

It hardly takes any time and you will receive a letter of confirmation in the mail from each bureau. Even if those responsible end up arrested, this will give you some piece of mind. The one drawback is that if you try to open up a new credit card or apply for a new loan, it will take some extra time while they verify that you are indeed you!
 
Thanks to all for the support. Can you believe that the police oficer who sat outside my house all night called me this morning to check on me!!!!

Strm and Youngster - thanks for the sound advice. I called Equifax so that is taken care of. I went to the Drivers'' License office early this morning and there were 100''s of people with the same idea. I figured I needed to get to the office and will try again in a couple of hours.

Hope you all have a wonderful day and TAKE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY cards out of your wallets now!

LesleyH
www.whiteflash.com
 
Lesley I'm so sorry to hear this! I gulped when I read that you put your purse down for a second in the dept store because I do that all the time! I hang it on a rack next to me or whatever if I am trying on a jacket real quickly or something similar. Yikes! I am just glad they just took your wallet and you were not in danger in any way.

We attended a neighborhood watch seminar last week and one of the things the gal told us (I never would have thought of this) which is somewhat related to personal safety but not the wallet thing....how many of you have your garage door openers on your visor in your car? If someone breaks into your car, they just open your glove box, take out your registration where most people keep it, and then take your garage door opener and your car and they know where you live and they have an entrance means to your house. Door to the garage door locked? They can use tools in your own garage, once it's open, to break into your house.

They were telling us they have this happen fairly often when cars are broken into! I was shocked as it's just something I never thought of. But makes tons of sense. Anyway their solution was to shrink down your registration on a copier and fold it and put it into your wallet and purse and give a copy to other members who drive the car. State law here is that the registration has to be on the person or in the car who is driving it...not that it has to be in the glove compartment! So by carrying your reg with you, you can foil the thieves from easily finding out your address. Also they said as an additional precaution to not just have your opener on the visor (though I haven't figured out where to put it just yet!) because that might be tempting to a thief. They also said to lock up stuff just hanging out in your car, or to hide it. They mentioned people break into car to just take CLOTHES sometimes. I have tons of jackets and sweaters in my backseat so I was like oh great.

Anyway, personal safety is something that I don't think many of us often think about enough, I definitely don't though I try to be aware. Hope this helps someone and Lesley I'm so happy that you were able to stop the damage before it really got going. Take Storm's advice and put a credit restriction/fraud alert on with the credit agencies as well. I actually think this is a good thing to have maybe once a year regardless of what is going on, there is so much identity theft out there now. Good luck!
 
Lesley I am so sorry this happened to you. We will use this knowledge to be careful ourselves, it just shows how easily it can happen and QUICKLY.
 
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