ID Theft

If your wallet is taken, do you file a report?

Yes, I'm an idiot and left my wallet in a cart at good old Wal Mart this morning. No one turned it in and we've been calling every two hours to double check. We've cancelled the cards and frozen the checks. Will I need to file a report with the police on Monday morning to cover all my bases? There's always the hope that some good samartin picked it up and threw it in a mailbox...but this is the Walmart parking lot we're talking about so it's more than likely someone pocketed it. I'm out the cash and some two party checks they wouldn't likely be able to cash anywhere even with my ID. Will the police consider this a loss or theft and should I file in case they do pass off my checks? Thank you for the good info guys....I know that there's nothing they can do as far as getting it back for me. We don't yet live in a world where all the police do is twiddle their thumbs waiting for a wallet theft to be reported! :) I also didn't know you could do it over the phone, so I'll do that asap. Thanks!!! Ok...just tried calling, but they are closed....the only other other option is 911. This isn't exactly an emergency and I don't want to tie up the line with my wallet fiasco. Police officers or those in the know...is this the appropriate route?

Public Comments

1. Call the police, you'll want to at least let them know that your DL is missing. You'll want that reported in case you get pulled over. If they tell you not to file the report thats cool, but always get them to tell you, never get the advice from elsewhere, and always get it on the phone (recorded lines) in case it comes up later.
2. As a Police Officer, the only thing a report will do is, if someone does find it and hands it in to the police we can then get in contact with you and notify you that we have it. Also if any charges were found on the credit cards before you cancelled them, the credit card company will have a report to help you get that money back. I would highly advise that you do report this to the police right now. You can even do it over the phone. This is better than not doing it at all.
3. the police will consider it a loss.. there is really nothing they can do. you can tell them that you lost it and they might be able to call you if some one comes in with it.. and since its wal mart...ha there is probley no chance but you never know. hope this helps. and hope you get your wallet back
4. Call the police and inform them in details.
5. File the police report, so that: A. You will have a report number to give your bank and credit card companies, as well as the DMV when you get a new drivers license. B. If someone is caught with your credit cards or ID, there will already be a police report on file, and it will make prosecution of the thief easier.
6. Call the non emergency number and leave a message, someone will call you back and take a report over the phone. Has to be the department where the Walmart is located, not where you live. (Just in case it's not the same jurisdiction.) You should have it just in case plus the CC companies usually tell you that's required, as well. Just covers your butt.
7. You have taken preemptive measures to cover your butt and that is good. Personally I would suggest making a police report so they can tag your cards, DL, (hopefully you did not carry SOC with it). Some credit card companies also want a report with a case number to get you off the hook for unauthorized charges. Also by making a report it helps an officer responding to a suspicious situation where someone is using a check without their name on it in his investigation. Much easier to believe he is a liar then if he tells you something like my sister or brother in law told me to use this check for a purchase here.
8. Call and report it CYA