PROTECT YOURSELF!!!!

I knew I lived a charmed life but have you ever heard the saying, "Bad things happen to good people"? Well- it did yesterday. The Mother's day walk was awesome but returning to the car, our upbeat, happy-to-do-good selves found James' truck broken into and my purse missing. It was so devastating- my Coach purse GONE. My wallet with my ID, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Checks, EVERYTHING GONE!@!! Luckily, my cell phone was in my pocket! The passenger front window was busted out and there was glass everywhere. I was stunned- I couldn't even yell, kick, scream, cry I was paralyzed. The sucky part about it is obviously the feeling of being violated but the purse was given to me by my late Aunt Maryellen that Passed away last year. I couldn't sleep last night, thinking of the 'what ifs'. So- I thought I would send this out with the 5 things to do if this were to happen to you.

Step 1- Make copies of all your credit cards, ID cards and licenses- everything in your wallet
If you think you're immune from having your credit cards stolen, you're wrong. Please be prepared- you never know when but it's better to be prepared.

Step 2- 2nd thing to do if you do get your wallet/purse stollen is to call the companies that issued the cards to report the theft. Do this as soon as you discover the problem. Use the toll free #.

Step 3- Next, call the 3 national credit reporting agencies to report the theft and ask them to attach a 'fraud alert' to all your credit cards: Equifax- 1-800-525-6285, Experian (formerly TRW) 1-888-397-3742 and Trans Union- 1-800-680-7289

Step 4- If you Social Security card is missing, call the Social Security Administration (fraud line) at 1-800-269-0271. Also, be sure to let the motor vehicles bureau know about your drivers license, as well as any other organization from which you lost cards.

Step 5- next, call the police in the jurisdiction where your credit cards were stolen to report the theft.

Okay- so I did everything on this list but not exactly in the order here. I feel okay about it but, I am not gonna lie- it still sucks. I only hope I sleep better tonight. So, keep me in your prayers and pray that these jerks are caught. One of the questions that the officer asked was, "Are you willing to press charges if the perpetrators are caught?" I was like, "Um, hell yeah!!!" So if the authorities don't get these bad guys, Karma will.