If your wallet/purse is lost or stolen, here's a conglomeration of advice summarized from the Communicating Arts Credit Union and other sources

• Cancel your credit cards immediately. You should keep a list of your cards and thei 800 contact numbers somewhere safe.
• File a police report in the jurisdiction where the theft, if any, occurred. If nothing else, this proves to credit card issuers that you did your part to protect them.
• Call all three national credit reporting agencies. Place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.
• Equifax 800-525-6285
• Experian (was TRW) 888-397-3742
• TransUnion 800-680-7289
• Contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Line at 800-269-0271

To check your credit rating, contact the major credit agencies. Some states require them to provide free credit reports under some circumstances.

Equifax
P.O. Box 105851
Atlanta, GA 30348
800-685-1111
www.equifax.com

Experian
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
888-397-3742
www.experian.com

Trans Union
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
800-888-4213
www.transunion.com