Stolen Wallet-Should I report it? See below.

stooplady

My wallet was stolen. They used my debit card for one purchase. Question: Should I report to the police (11215 zip where wallet was stolen) that my driver's license was stolen?
Checked the NYD DMV website. It would be easier just to renew it for now (although it is soon time for this) which is $17.50 OR go in person (if it was a crime) and have it replaced for free.

I would rather reorder for expediency's sake because I am going to have to drive in two weeks. Am planning, but not now, to have an enhanced license and also think that my renewal date is around now.

Question: Should I report it due to any type of identity theft incident in the future? Am concerned about this.

Thanks!

jeffrey

100%.

They probably tried one purchase with your debit card to test it. Then they will probably star hitting it big time.

That will wipe out your bank account and you may not get the money back (unlike a credit card, where you can give notice and disavow recent purchases on their credit).

Call the bank(s) now!

Then yeah, go down to the PD and file a lost wallet/ID report.

You should definitely also let the DMV know that your wallet was stolen and hat someone else is now in possession of your driver's license.

And even if you do renew, they give you a temporary printed license certificate/card that expires shortly after the new one arrives in the mail.

So you would walk out with a functional replacement regardless of what you do.

modsquad2.0

What Jeffrey says and reporting it would be required on your part in order to protect yourself and the bank from any further loses. The PD will simply give you a case number that shows you have fulfilled your responsibility.

lfolco

Yes, report it. I hope you didn't have your SS card in there as well. If you did, it will be very easy for the thief to open up new credit cards in your name and do other things to really destroy your credit.

You can put a "fraud alert" on your account which helps to protect you from that. It can be a little inconvenient for you (e.g. if you go to a store and they ask you if you want to open a new card on the spot to receive a discount, it won't go through - they will need additional verification), but is worth it. Here's how:

http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/flag.html