We’ve all heard horror stories of identity fraud and the associated financial loss – the internet makes it so much easier these days! One of the most common events that gets the identity fraud ball rolling, is the loss of your wallet or purse. Think about it – everything about your identity is contained in that little bundle of cards and papers. Your address. Date of birth. Banking details. License and Medicare numbers… It makes the fraudsters task so easy.

Here are a few tips that can help limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

1. 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. Take a photocopy or scan of the front and back of all your cards and keep the copy where you can find it, and where it’s secure.

2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your wallet/credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a likely first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

3. But here’s what is perhaps most important of all: Call the three national credit reporting organizations – Veda Advantage (previously Baycorp), Dun and Bradstreet and the Tasmanian Collection Service – immediately to place a fraud alert on your Tax File Number, your passport number, and driver’s licence number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorise new credit. It effectively renders your identity useless to anyone trying to use it for financial gain.

4. Ask for a new license number when you replace your driver’s license. Normally, they just provide you with a new copy of your old license but this means that the stolen copy is still effective as a form of ID for applying for credit. By cancelling your license and issuing you with a new license number, this problem is solved.

Here are some numbers which you might need to contact if your wallet etc. has been stolen :

1. Visa Card Australia – 1800 621 199
2. Visa Card International – 1800 450 346
3. Lost Travelers’ Cheques – 1800 127 477
4. MasterCard Australia – (02) 9466 3700
5. MasterCard International – 1800 120 113
6. Bankcard Australia – (02) 9281 6633
7. Medicare – 132 011
8. Centrelink Fraud – 137 230
9. Seniors Card – 1300 364 758
10. Passport – 131 232
11. ANZ FREECALL – 1800 033 844
12. Bank West – 131 718
13. Citibank – 132 484
14. Tamworth Coles/Myer Source -2340 1300 306 397
15. Commonwealth – 132 221
16. CUSCAL- MyCard 1300 135 538
17. GE Capital – 1300 369 904
18. Members Equity – 1300 654 998
19. National Australia Bank- 132 265
20. St George – 1800 028 208
21. SydneyVirgin – 2000 1800 080 000
22. Westpac – 1800 230 144
23. Woolworths Ezy Banking – 137 288

Feel free to add any other useful numbers in the comments below!