What to do about theft of wallets!

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Useful information should you ever be in this situation!

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your
name, address, SS#, credit, etc. Unfortunately I (author of this piece)
have first hand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and
within a week the thief(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell hone
package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to
buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from the DMV to change my
driving record information on line, and more.

Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case is
happens to you or someone you know. As everyone always advises, cancel
your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free
numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those
where you can find them easily (having to hunt for them is additional
stress you WON'T need at that point)! On a personal note, I remember
loosing a MC and until I got the toll free number from information, I
 was a wreck.

 File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was
stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a
first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

 But here's what is perhaps most important: I never ever thought
to do this.  Call the three National Credit Reporting Organizations
immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. I had never
heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an
application for  credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert
means any company that checks your credit knows your information was
stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By
the time I was advised to do this -- almost 2 weeks after the theft --
all the damage had been done (there are records of all the credit checks
initiated by the thieves' Purchases, none of which I knew about before
placing the alert). Since then, no additional damage has been  done, and
the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it
in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks. The numbers are:
Equifax 1-800 525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW) 1-800-301-7195
Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at 1-800-269-0271

We pass along jokes, we pass along just about everything....Please do
think about passing this information along, it could help someone