We've been robbed!
 

Went down to visit family today and see the new baby in the family - came back and the barn doors were open. Someone went through our stuff out there and stole items out of an old purse. I had an old wallet in it that probably had old id, old credit card and maybe a credit card I haven't used in years. I have no idea what else might be missing. Having recently moved, we put a lot of random boxes out there.

The kids bikes are still there but there are files and paperwork spread about.

I'm so fvucking pissed off. and at myself too as it wasn't locked. Too trusting of people I guess. (and so effing stupid in hindsight. what was I thinking?) I immedialy think of the 2 new neighbors near us and the one with 17 grandchildren that seem to hang around all the time but that's nothing more then speculation as it could have been anyone.

Should I even bother calling the police? It's not like they're going to find the person that did it.

fck fck fck!

What should I do? Am I supposed to call my credit agency? What if there was an old checkbook receipt thingy in there (the carbon copy check register backs) - should I cancel my checking account?

deep breathing isn't helping. fck!

Absolutely 100% get in touch with credit companies and get a fraud protection watch on your record ASAP. That's clearly what they were after. Call credit any credit company that you know they got information about, they'll start the work on getting your identity locked down, then yes you should probably file a police report.

I'm thinking I want to let these agencies know as soon as possible (calling or email?) yet I also want a record of me doing so (cert mail with return receipt?). Both?

Make sure you call the police and make a report. If anything happens id theft wise, later, the people involved will want proof of the robbery and will require a police report.

I'd call them - it's faster. Just make a note of the name of the person you spoke with and the date/time.

Police report filed. Locks are getting purchased as I type - sort of closing the barn doors after the horses are out but whatever.

Now more than ever I want a webcam recording things. Stupid people making me paranoid in my own home that someone is going to come and get me.

Ugh, Betty. Sorry to hear about that. I hope they catch the bastards...

Oh, Betty that totally sucks. Fvcking assholes. :mad:

I'm so sorry this happened to you! Hopefully you caught it quick enough that they can't do any damage. I really, really hope they get caught and soon!

You can file reports with the credit agencies directly, and I would do so immediately. (Equifax.com , transunion.com , experian.com ) There's a way to put a fraud alert out on your credit (which has the added bonus that you'll stop getting junk mail for like 6 months).

Obviously, contact your bank and credit card companies directly. The credit card companies will cancel all of your cards and reissue you a new card. The bank will cancel your debit card, and issue you a new debit card. I would imagine the bank will also want to change your actual account numbers as well.

So basically, this will end up being a pain in the ass problem, but in the end, a fixable problem :) In a few weeks you'll have all shiny new cards and shiny new account numbers, and you'll just have to re-enter those numbers when you go to pay your bills next month on the internet. It'd be the same problem as if you flat out lost your wallet. Just remember to breathe. :)

Sorry that happened. You've gotten some good advice. They may even be able to track down the person who stole them based upon them trying to use it. Hopefully it's as painless as it can possibly be for you.

Sorry to hear that Betty. It's such a violation knowing that some stranger has riffled through your personal stuff. It really sucks! But you got good advice that I agree with. And if it is someone who is trying to steal IDs, then they may do something that leads the police to find them so you may find out who did it.

Good luck!

I was just thinking, you might want this link again.

How sickening! I am so sorry.

All LifeLock does is what everyone already suggested but you pay them to do it for you.

Also, Lifelock is a sponsor of Glenn Beck. Depending on your views you may or may not want to give them your business.

On a side note, when Susan's purse was stolen out of my car many years ago, the only company that refused to do that was Mervyns'. Even after we asked them to issue a new number/card, they refused. They said that they could just put a note on the account to check ID. Well dummies; the thieves have the ID too! Needless to say, we canceled the Mervyn's account and refused to ever shop there again.

Another side track (sorry): you can also significantly reduce the amount of direct mail marketing you receive by signing up here. It is a voluntary list maintained by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) that reputable mailers use to suppress their mail lists against. It isn't a perfect system, but it will significantly reduce the amount of mail you receive.

- - - -

And sorry to hear about the break-in Betty. Things like this just make one feel so violated and vulnerable.

That's awful. Hope everything works out.

Thanks for all the support. I'm torn between being really pissed on and feeling anxiety and victimized.

I'm glad they didn't take the kids bikes and stuff or get into our house. At least there's that.

Got the credit agencies squared away and the police report done. Everything is locked up... and I must tell you as we put locks on both sides we both fantasized about having locked the guy in and having him slowly have to dig his way out or starve to death. fvcker.

I'm going to pass on life lock because of the Beck thing. I don't want to support him especially if can take care of it all by myself.

I dreamed last night about someone stealing my purse and it occurred to me that just last week I had another dream I posted here about someone stealing my purse. (insert twilight zone music here.)

Every car that drives by I can help but think - Are you the culprit? As much as the loss of the information sucks, it also sucks that they stole my sense of security in our new place. I loved it and now it's tarnished.