Privacy & Security

What to do if you lose your wallet

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You reach into your purse or pocket and your wallet is gone. If your wallet is lost or stolen, don’t panic. Swing into action to help protect yourself and minimize the chance you’ll have to deal with identity fraud.

Report a lost or stolen Bank of America card or checkbook.

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If it happens to you ...

Take these steps immediately

1) Call your bank and credit card issuers, or use mobile or online banking, to cancel or put an alert on each card and confirm there is no unauthorized activity. You may be able to temporarily lock your debit card via mobile or online banking, too.

2) Take stock of what else is missing and file a police report in case you become a victim of identity fraud. Keep a copy of the report for your records.

3) Contact one of the credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax or Experian) to place a fraud alert on your credit report. Once the credit bureau processes your alert, it will notify the other two bureaus for you.

Request replacements for any lost items

  • Order new bank and credit cards and update your account information for any automatic payments.
  • Contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to replace your driver’s license and, in most states, your vehicle registration.
  • Get new copies of your Social Security and/or Medicare cards.

If you kept a spare house key in your wallet along with anything revealing your home address, consider changing your locks.

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Notify companies that might be affected

Call places that may be linked to items in your wallet, such as:

  • Your health and car insurance companies
  • Your HR department, if you lost your employee ID
  • Businesses with rewards, points or discount programs
  • Membership organizations, such as libraries or health clubs

Protect yourself in the future

Don’t carry these items in your wallet:

  • Social Security card
  • Spare keys
  • Credit cards you don’t use regularly
  • Passwords
  • Birth certificate
  • Checks

Help keep track of your wallet with a GPS tracking device that slips into your wallet and syncs to an app on your smartphone.

Keep a record of what’s in your wallet.

Photocopy the front and back of every item in your wallet. Store these copies in a safe place so you can access them easily if you need them.

Learn more about how to help prevent identity theft.

Keep an eye on your accounts

Monitor your bank and credit card accounts. Periodically check your credit report for unauthorized activity, using a site such as AnnualCreditReport.com.

Bank of America customers can monitor their accounts through the Mobile Banking app or with Online Banking.

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The material provided on this website is for informational use only and is not intended for financial, tax or investment advice. Bank of America and/or its affiliates, and Khan Academy, assume no liability for any loss or damage resulting from one’s reliance on the material provided. Please also note that such material is not updated regularly and that some of the information may not therefore be current. Consult with your own financial professional and tax advisor when making decisions regarding your financial situation.

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