Ok, I want you to think about your wallet. Now close your eyes and try to list everything in it. Here is my mental list.
1. Credit Card
2. Bank Card
3. Drivers' License
4. Military ID
5. Chad's birthday check from his mom
6. $20 or so
7. Old Chicago Beer Tour Card
8. Insurance card
9. ATPE association card
10. Library card
Now go get your wallet and look through it. Add important items you forgot or would have no idea how to replace.
1. Key card for my workplace
2. My dental plan card
3. My health insurance card
4. My daughters Safe Kids Card
5. My home state card if my license expires while we are stationed out of state
6. Another credit card for which I don't have the customer service number or account # (I know, my bad)
7. A Starbucks gift card.
8. My daughter's insurance card
9. Various rewards program cards
10. Family pictures
Wasn't that fun? Not so much when this game is played with a missing wallet! I noticed it wasn't in my purse this morning as I was getting out of my car at work. I remembered having it last night when I stopped at Walgreen's for cough syrup. I willed myself not to panic, so I went into work, tense and visibly concerned, but went to my room, helped a student with her work, waited for my co-teacher to get to our room, and then dashed home to check the house. On the way, I call Walgreen's and ask them about it - no wallet, but they will call if it turns up. At this point, I start thinking about what is in it. What do I need to cancel? No biggie, then it hits all my identification is in it, my name, face, parts of social security numbers and I really am struggling not to cry. I call my MIL to have her cancel the check for Chad's birthday. I also realize I have no way to grocery shop or get gas. Deep breaths, in, out, repeat.
When it wasn't in the house, I re-checked the car and then drove to Walgreen's. I checked the parking lot and walked in even though they said they didn't have it. When the clerk at the counter where I must have left it didn't see it behind the counter somewhere, I started making phone calls. I cancelled my main credit card and drove to the bank to cancel the debit card. I called the Sec of State's office back home to find out about getting a new drivers' license. That was all I could do at that point. I went back to school and taught the rest of the day. I got a few tips on how to replace my military ID, which process is a HUGE pain, needing two forms of ID, two forms (one verified?) and my Power of Attorney and then an appointment between 9-3:30 to see someone on post to get a replacement.
But in less than two hours, I had done a lot to get a handle on the situation. Then I joined FreeCreditReport.com so I could start watching my credit to make sure no one stole my identity. I started looking at identity theft companies and was still comparing features of them at 2 when my phone rang.
Walgreen's had my wallet. They had it since I walked off and left it, but I didn't notice it last night and the day manager had no idea the afternoon manager had put it in the safe.
It was a really scary day, wondering what was in that wallet that I couldn't remember, wondering who had found it and not turned it in, wondering what that person might be doing with all my personal information. A lot of prayers got thrown up heavenward. And it all did work out, thanks to the honest clerk or customer who picked it up when I dropped it.
I will say the day was not a waste. I learned I need to update my file about the things I carry in my wallet. I have a file where I keep all the information on all my credit cards, etc. I need to include what else is in my wallet so I know what might be lost if this happens a little less temporarily. I also learned that my credit score is awesome, go me! I also learned that even a truly difficult situation can be managed by being calm, taking things one step at a time and taking some time to think.
You can learn from my skyrocketing blood pressure to find a safe place, not internet accessible to protect it from hackers, to keep all your information in the case you have your own moment of epic failure. I know this happens, or something like it, probably on average a few times in a lifetime. I would hope this will be the last, but probably not. Be prepared - better safe than sorry. Pick an aphorism, but take care of yourself, you are the only you? Right? let's keep it that way!
1. Credit Card
2. Bank Card
3. Drivers' License
4. Military ID
5. Chad's birthday check from his mom
6. $20 or so
7. Old Chicago Beer Tour Card
8. Insurance card
9. ATPE association card
10. Library card
Now go get your wallet and look through it. Add important items you forgot or would have no idea how to replace.
1. Key card for my workplace
2. My dental plan card
3. My health insurance card
4. My daughters Safe Kids Card
5. My home state card if my license expires while we are stationed out of state
6. Another credit card for which I don't have the customer service number or account # (I know, my bad)
7. A Starbucks gift card.
8. My daughter's insurance card
9. Various rewards program cards
10. Family pictures
Wasn't that fun? Not so much when this game is played with a missing wallet! I noticed it wasn't in my purse this morning as I was getting out of my car at work. I remembered having it last night when I stopped at Walgreen's for cough syrup. I willed myself not to panic, so I went into work, tense and visibly concerned, but went to my room, helped a student with her work, waited for my co-teacher to get to our room, and then dashed home to check the house. On the way, I call Walgreen's and ask them about it - no wallet, but they will call if it turns up. At this point, I start thinking about what is in it. What do I need to cancel? No biggie, then it hits all my identification is in it, my name, face, parts of social security numbers and I really am struggling not to cry. I call my MIL to have her cancel the check for Chad's birthday. I also realize I have no way to grocery shop or get gas. Deep breaths, in, out, repeat.
When it wasn't in the house, I re-checked the car and then drove to Walgreen's. I checked the parking lot and walked in even though they said they didn't have it. When the clerk at the counter where I must have left it didn't see it behind the counter somewhere, I started making phone calls. I cancelled my main credit card and drove to the bank to cancel the debit card. I called the Sec of State's office back home to find out about getting a new drivers' license. That was all I could do at that point. I went back to school and taught the rest of the day. I got a few tips on how to replace my military ID, which process is a HUGE pain, needing two forms of ID, two forms (one verified?) and my Power of Attorney and then an appointment between 9-3:30 to see someone on post to get a replacement.
But in less than two hours, I had done a lot to get a handle on the situation. Then I joined FreeCreditReport.com so I could start watching my credit to make sure no one stole my identity. I started looking at identity theft companies and was still comparing features of them at 2 when my phone rang.
Walgreen's had my wallet. They had it since I walked off and left it, but I didn't notice it last night and the day manager had no idea the afternoon manager had put it in the safe.
It was a really scary day, wondering what was in that wallet that I couldn't remember, wondering who had found it and not turned it in, wondering what that person might be doing with all my personal information. A lot of prayers got thrown up heavenward. And it all did work out, thanks to the honest clerk or customer who picked it up when I dropped it.
I will say the day was not a waste. I learned I need to update my file about the things I carry in my wallet. I have a file where I keep all the information on all my credit cards, etc. I need to include what else is in my wallet so I know what might be lost if this happens a little less temporarily. I also learned that my credit score is awesome, go me! I also learned that even a truly difficult situation can be managed by being calm, taking things one step at a time and taking some time to think.
You can learn from my skyrocketing blood pressure to find a safe place, not internet accessible to protect it from hackers, to keep all your information in the case you have your own moment of epic failure. I know this happens, or something like it, probably on average a few times in a lifetime. I would hope this will be the last, but probably not. Be prepared - better safe than sorry. Pick an aphorism, but take care of yourself, you are the only you? Right? let's keep it that way!
I am going to make a copy front and back of all the important stuff TODAY!
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