This is topic *growl* My purse was stolen - and today I was finally able to make a police report! in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.
Came home Friday, put purse on table near door, as always. (First person who chides me about the usual location of my purse gets their head bitten off.) Didn't go anywhere yesterday, so I didn't need it again until this morning . . . and it wasn't there.
Checked other likely locations in apartment. Called cell phone in purse, but could not hear it ringing. Checked unlikely places in apartment. Must be in car. Checked car. Checked apartment some more. Called cell phone again. Gave children third degree. Called cell phone again.
Called ex who picked up girls to take to school.
Called police non-emergency number, who connected me to local station . . . which then reconnected me to the non-emergency number. Hung up and came here to rant.
I can't drive anywhere -- my license is in my purse. And the police station is several miles away.
Suggestions?
[ February 23, 2007, 12:58 AM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Drive without a license. You will find that your car will work perfectly, and your driving skill will remain undiminished.
Sorry about your purse, rivka. I had nothing to do with it. Honest, this time.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Oh honey! That's awful! Maybe you can try the local station again and ask for an officer to come out to investigate the crime scene. As a wise woman once said, they do it in the movies all the time.
Posted by Dead_Horse (Member # 3027) on :
at people who would sneak in someone's house and steal their purse!
In my experience, the rule about driving without a license only applies if you really don't have a license at all or if it was taken from you by a policeman. As long as it's still valid, they can look it up, or will usually give you time to bring it to show them. Especially if it's to report it stolen. I wouldn't go very far from home without it, though. Especially not to, like, say...Arkansas.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Yeah, I guess I'm off to the police station licenseless. *sigh*
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
This says that you could still get in temporary trouble if you're pulled over, but it appears that you can get the charge dismissed. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d06/vc12951.htm Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Phone number listed for my local station (on the official LAPD site) gets me a "this number is not in service" message.
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Have you tried calling a different station and asking them to transfer you?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Nah, I give up. I'm going to drive over. Wish me luck.
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Wait, so someone probably broke into your house and took your purse?
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
That's what I'm assuming. I'm also assuming she counted and made sure the kids are all there, and clearly the computer's still there...
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
don't forget to cancel whatever credit cards were in the purse. and disable your cell phone service.
and yeah, i wouldn't worry about driving without your license, but hopefully you're already gone and not reading this.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Time to drive to station: about 25 minutes. Bad time of day to drive that route, but what could I do?
At the station they took my name, address, phone number . . . and said they'd send a car to my house, since this was a burglary.
Traffic on the way home was obscene (construction on Olympic narrowed a several-block stretch from three lanes to one). So of course by the time I got home, they'd been and gone. At least they left a card with a valid phone number. No person at the other end, but I was able to live a message on the Burglary department line.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Storm Saxon: Wait, so someone probably broke into your house and took your purse?
Sort of. The front door was unlocked at several points over the last couple days (kids in and out, and laundry being done down in the basement, etc.), and the purse was in easy reach of said front door. As far as I can see, nothing else is missing. They probably didn't even come all the way inside.
Next up: locksmith. (I realized there's an extra house key in my purse.) Except I need to check with my landlady first.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Oh, rivka. That sounds horrid.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Wow. That's insane.
I leave my purse by the door, too, so don't feel bad about that; which of us expects someone to come in and take something while we're home? (Although my front door is locked, even when I'm home, usually, but not, as you say, while doing laundry, unless the kids aren't coming with me.)
*makes note not to call rivka on cell*
I hope it turns up soon, no harm done. How violated you must feel.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Yeah. Pain in the neck. Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Yeah, that sucks, Rivka. You're being remarkably calm about it. Good on you.
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
I'm sorry to hear this Rivka... That's such a massive pain =(
I can't believe someone opened your door and stole your purse. That's crazy =(
But now I'm going to worry about where I leave my purse since my hubby doesn't know how to lock a door. *sigh*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Damn. It really was stolen.
My Mastercard was used at Ross early Saturday afternoon.
Landlady is sending a locksmith this afternoon.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
That sucks big-time. I'm sorry.
Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :
They stole your purse and used the credit card at Ross? Well, at least they discount shopped. Could have taken it to Neiman Marcus or something.
Edit: Also, that sucks. Thieves can really bring a person down. You should leave a dummy purse next to the door from now on with a bear trap or dog doo in it.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I'm thinking about this and getting annoyed at all the people who never, ever check my ID when I use my credit card. The only place I've ever had it checked in SoCal is IKEA (in Dallas they checked ID almost every time.) Usually it's a bit of a break in my routine when it gets checked, but I don't mind much; I'm now a bit annoyed at all the people who know it is store policy to check IDs but don't do it. And more annoyed at the stores who don't have that policy or don't enforce it.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Storm Saxon: You're being remarkably calm about it. Good on you.
I'm still in shock. I'll have hysterics later.
quote:Originally posted by The Pixiest: I can't believe someone opened your door and stole your purse. That's crazy =(
I know! Until Citibank told me there was a charge from Saturday afternoon, I was still hoping it was just misplaced somewhere.
I had everything in there! My cell (I guess it was time for a new one after all), my Palm -- with three SD cards, although fortunately I hadn't gotten around to putting my newest 2 GB card in, a fair bit of cash and several gift cards, pay stubs, insurance info, SS card, license . . .
oh, man. This is going to take all day. Especially since every credit card wants to sell me their we-report-all-your-cards service.
quote:Originally posted by vonk: They stole your purse and used the credit card at Ross?
Yeah, and just for $200. I'm wondering if it was a test of sorts.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Discover and Citicards lose points for trying to sell me a service, but were generally helpful. I won't have either card for several days, though.
Target Visa loses points for not having a "report my card lost or stolen" option (repeatedly mashing the 0 button eventually got me someone), and more points for having customer support people in another country with barely comprehensible English. (I haven't even used that card in over 6 months.)
Verizon gets extra points for being helpful and having options. I'm going to head over there and pick up a new phone in a bit.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
I'm so sorry you had to face something like this! It's just awful. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
AAA gets points for being extra-friendly, but loses points for requiring me to talk separately to Member Services (new card) and Insurance (new proof-of-insurance card). They also can't help me with my license. *mutter*
Thanks, Olivia.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Oh rivka -- that is just awful. I am so sorry. I wish I could do something to help. How about a virtual hug (((rivka))) and a mug of soothing chamomile tea with some lemon and honey?
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
Thankfully it sounds like everything's being resolved pretty quickly, regardless of how unhelpful the people on the phone are.
I'm sorry this happened, rivka. Having recently had stuff stolen out of my own apartment in a brief span when my front door was unlocked, I think I know how you feel. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
DMV is (not surprisingly or unreasonably) making me come in person.
I bet SS will too, and they don't even have that convenient local office anymore.
Thanks for the sympathy.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
rivka, if you have your birth certificate you can get your SS card by mail, I think, but it takes forever.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
My parents do, I think. Not sure where my copy is.
Anyway, these days I think they make you come in person with photo ID. I'm just glad my passport was NOT in my purse!
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
ouch. i suppose i'd be more mad about the time i need to arrange everything than about the stolen money.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Definitely!
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
Be sure to not forget to notify the library (if you have a library card). Someone I know had their purse stolen and the thief went to the library, checked out alot of materials that she was then responsible for (over a thousand dollars worth) since she didn't think to notify the library.
Sorry for this yuck!
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
While not unnecessarily true, it is probably fortunate your purse was close to the front door as the burglar opted for the quick payout rather then entering deeper into your premises and possibly being confronted, thus warranting a more drastic scenario.
Very sorry the sanctity of your home was violated, I hope you can get your life back to normal without any unnecessary obstacles.
Reminds me of the Calvin and Hobbes comic when they come home from a trip and their house has been broken into.
I live in a basement apt and since moving in I never bother to go all the way upstairs at night to lock my door, and we only have one key so if neither of us are home we can't lock the door. I'm going out first thing tomorrow and getting that key replicated. My door is going to be locked every night.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Ok, SS card can be done by mail. They're sending me forms.
Thanks for the reminder. I need to call the library next. Actually, I have several cards in there -- my son's as well as mine. Maybe that's it . . .
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Which is a good reminder for all of us . . . make a complete list of all your credit cards, debit cards, and any other important cards (like library cards, video rental cards, medical ID cards) and keep at home in a safe place in case of such a happening.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Oh damn, medical ID cards. Mine and the kids.
Thanks.
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Gift cards, too, if you had those. Um...*looks in wallet*
Blood donor IDs probably aren't a problem. I'm guessing the thief won't try to donate as you.
Do you have a bus pass/train pass/anything else like that?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
The gift cards (and there were several) are gone.
No blood donor card. No public transportation card.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
I'm so sorry, rivka! What a terrible thing for someone to do.
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Have they been used yet? Sometimes you can get the balance transferred if you act fast (and if you registered the cards online).
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I didn't register them online. I'm not even entirely sure what stores they were for -- I just know I had a couple in there. (That's how I usually redeem my cashback bonus from Discover.)
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Wamu is sending me a new ATM card (new PIN separately) and put a stop on the checks that were in my purse.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
The library has cancelled mine and my son's cards. We'll get to pay $2 apiece for new ones the next time we go in. Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
My condolences on your loss(es). Wacky how the library is the one to penalize you. Wackier to think about someone with your purse picking up your literary habits along with the library cards. Hey, maybe they'll pick up other good habits (besides bargain shopping), and do teshuvah (um, they'll repent), and make it up to you.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
The library can't waive the fee in case of theft? That's kind of dumb.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
kq, I'll try to get them to when I go in, but I didn't see the point in arguing about it over the phone.
Tante, yeah, only the library. Now, it IS the Beverly Hills Library, but still. Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
The library CHARGES for new cards???
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Replacement cards, yes. Brand new ones, no.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Hmmm. Did you have any passwords or codekeys listed somewhere in your purse?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
It had my Palm. So, yes, but hopefully none in ways that will mean anything to someone else.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
oooh -- ouch -- that's a damn good question, CT.
You know -- this kind of hassle and scare makes one almost want the days of one wrist-worn ID with all your info in one place available.
*looking with dismay at the numerous "rewards" and "shoppers rebate" cards in her wallet*
Are those kinds of cards important to have cancelled and replaced, too? Seems like they needed some personal info to get them.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
rivka, I'm so sorry. I imagine I would feel so tired right about now.
*hug
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Most of my such cards are keycards. And my keys (except the extras in my purse) were not taken. Besides, while the store certainly has my personal info and can look it up with my card number, what would a thief do with them? Save money on groceries? Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by ClaudiaTherese: rivka, I'm so sorry. I imagine I would feel so tired right about now.
Yeah. Very long day -- and it's not done yet.
Thanks.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Any membership cards to community resources (zoo, pool, art museum, etc.)?
---
Edited to add: keys or lockcodes to storage units?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Nope. Being lazy pays off.
And no -- keys like that are on my keyring.
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Ick, ick, ick. I'm so sorry, Rivka. Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Good! Small favors.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Ok. I have chosen the cell phone I want. Now, if the locksmith ever shows up, I can go to the Verizon store and get my new phone.
Of course, I realized that replacing my Palm will be a bit more of a challenge. I have no credit cards!
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
Oh Rivka! What a hassle.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*still waiting for the damn locksmith*
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Rivka, I'm sorry you had such a horrible thing happen to you.
You'd only want to do this if you're not going to need credit checks done in the near future, of course, so make sure you get your cards replaced first if you do it.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Given that only one of my cards shows any not-me activity (and that one just the one charge), I'm leaning towards not. My guess is that the thief was interested primarily in the cash.
Oh, and I am STILL waiting for the locksmith my landlady said would be here between 3 and 4 (it's almost 6). And I am having no luck reaching my landlady.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Finally reached my landlady, who had the locksmith call me. Got apology that's not exactly an apology . . . and a promise that the guy will be here within an hour.
I've been waiting for four already.
And the locksmith is trying to claim that his guy was here shortly before three. NUH-UH. I've had my son sitting and reading in the front room, to be sure we didn't miss a knock, since about 2:30.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands: But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed.
Clearly, Othello didn't have to deal with the DMV.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Locksmith!
(Only 3-4 hours late. )
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Blech! I'm sorry someone did such a crappy thing to you. Good job on alllll of that stuff you've fixed (as much as it can be "fixed") already. You are on fire!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Thanks. I still haven't made it in to work (that was supposed to be after the DMV, which was supposed to be after the locksmith), so I'll need to go in for a couple hours.
DMV will have to be before work tomorrow, if the lines aren't too horrible. Can't stay too late -- Big Government Agency comes at 10:30, so I'd best be in no later than 9:30.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Shiny new locks and two keys, check.
New cell phone, check. (With bluetooth, yay! With camera, meh.) Now I just have to re-enter 100+ numbers . . . I just hope I have 'em all elsewhere.
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
How terrible! I'm sorry this happened. I wish I could say something helpful, but I'm always at a loss where practical, real-world matters are concerned. I wouldn't know what to do.
This does, however, reinforce the fact that the people who make fun of me for being a compulsive door-locker are wrong, and I am right. I lock my apartment door when I go to do laundry. I also lock it as soon as I've stepped inside. I lock my car door when I go inside to pay for gasoline, and before I even start the car when I'm about to drive somewhere. The only time my doors are unlocked is when I am in the act of passing through them. I've never had anything stolen from me, so some people feel I'm just being paranoid, but this just goes to show that a door only has to be unlocked for a moment for bad things to come of it.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Sorry it happened, rivka. Sucks.
Verily, I'm with you with the compulsive locking. Subjected me to many mocks, but whatever. I've still had stuff stolen, but that also took ruining my door and door frame in the process. Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :
Tough news Rivka. I hope the worst is over.
I have to make a real effort to remember to lock doors. Mind you, we lost a Christmas present from our post box this year, so even our tiny village is not immune to crime. Sad but true.
Good luck with all the replacements.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
When I'm the only one home, the door is always locked.
When the kids are home . . . well, we'll be working on that. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I'm probably late in saying this now -- and I know nothing of your neighborhood -- but usually theives take what they want from a purse (credit cards, cash) and then dump the rest in a local dumpster, rather than risk being seen carrying it around.
If you had looked into dumpsters near you right after it happened, you MIGHT have found at least some of your stuff. You never know.
But I'm glad you're getting everything taken care of so promptly and thoroughly. I think this is an educational thread.
FG
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Farmgirl: If you had looked into dumpsters near you right after it happened, you MIGHT have found at least some of your stuff.
We checked all the garbage cans (not really much in the way of dumpsters right nearby, but lots of garbage cans in the alley) yesterday morning. No luck.
Thanks, though. Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
quote: I didn't register them online. I'm not even entirely sure what stores they were for -- I just know I had a couple in there. (That's how I usually redeem my cashback bonus from Discover.)
Since you got them through Discover, I'm sure they have records of what cards you got. They might be able to cut off the ones that were stolen and send you new ones.
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
Rivka, I'm so sorry that happened!
The idea of someone just randomly opening a front door and grabbing what they want is pretty mind-boggling to me. I mean, who thinks of doing that?? Do they just saunter down the street testing every door to see if it's unlocked? Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Or they could just see the kids bounding out the door and not locking it behind themselves, I guess.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by zgator:
quote: I didn't register them online. I'm not even entirely sure what stores they were for -- I just know I had a couple in there. (That's how I usually redeem my cashback bonus from Discover.)
Since you got them through Discover, I'm sure they have records of what cards you got. They might be able to cut off the ones that were stolen and send you new ones.
That's a thought. I will look into that -- thanks.
quote:Originally posted by Nell Gwyn: The idea of someone just randomly opening a front door and grabbing what they want is pretty mind-boggling to me. I mean, who thinks of doing that?? Do they just saunter down the street testing every door to see if it's unlocked?
Crime stats certainly indicate that some people do. It's part of why neighborhood watch programs are effective.
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: Or they could just see the kids bounding out the door and not locking it behind themselves, I guess.
Also a possibility. We had a Conversation today.
In the race to get me replacement credit cards, Discover wins. By a mile! They told me I'd have the new one by Thursday, overnighted on Wednesday.
It came today. Go Discover!
Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
What a pain! I'm sorry to hear this Rivka. Sounds like you got it pretty well covered though.
I've seen people going through parking lots checking for unlocked doors. I guess this is pretty much the same thing. There're all kinds of people out there.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I realized the worst part today.
My little wallet full of pictures. Most of which are irreplaceable. A picture of my dad at age two with his grandfather, senior-year pictures of classmates from high school (with notes on the back), pictures of my kids from when they were little (and school pictures) that I have no other copies of.
Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
*sighs sadly*
That sucks.
I'm sorry someone did that to you.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
(((rivka)))
That is the most suckiest, irreplaceable part.
I'm so sorry.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
My license and credit card were found. They were found on a guy who was arrested because he not only burgled a house, but molested a kid who lived there. That means it could easily have been have been one of my kids in that situation!!! *gets the shakes*
Thank God, all he took from my place was my purse. He's in custody, and in another state. And, at least I'll get my license back . . .
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
Oh wow. I'm really glad your kids are okay, rivka.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Me too, me too!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Wow. One of those moments that makes you realize how bad it WASN'T, despite everything! Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :
If you haven't already, I would suggest going to the three credit services and signing up for an identity theft alert (sometimes called fraud alert). While the theft of the other things is bad, identity theft can be much worse.
They should all give you a 90-day alert, where any creditors will need to contact you before they can make changes to your credit. You have to fill out forms to get a longer alert put on, but it's worth it.
Each credit reporting agency is also required to offer you one free credit report per year. If you space them out, you can keep a fairly close watch. Good idea to do this as well.
[ February 15, 2007, 06:21 AM: Message edited by: MightyCow ]
Posted by Lavalamp (Member # 4337) on :
Wow!
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Holy thwap, rivka!
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
*hug*
How horrible (even more so).
Glad you're all ok.
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Good gravy.
*vibes*
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
How'd I miss hearing about this the first time around?!
Anyway, I'm glad they caught the guy. Hopefully everything else gets smoothed out, too.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Holy crap. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Thanks, guys.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Paying for identity theft protection from a credit bureau seems like paying extortionists for me. FWIW, I think that's an awful suggestion.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I'll discuss it with the detective when I talk to him later today. He was really nice when I spoke to him last night -- and this was on his personal cell phone, and I'm fairly certain he was off-duty when we spoke. Definitely one of the good guys. Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Thank goodness the jerk's been caught and your stuff is retreived. I wish he'd been caught sooner, though, that poor kid...
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Yeah.
I asked about the rest of my stuff. The only things of mine that he had were my license, one credit card, and my checkbook.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
oh, rivka! Posted by ReikoDemosthenes (Member # 6218) on :
Oi, I can't believe I missed this!
*hugs*
Thank God he's been caught, now, and hopefully he gets justly punished.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
If he had your driver's license, it was probably so that he could use your credit card. Does that mean he spent a lot of time wearing headscarves?
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
Rivka, I'm glad the guy got caught and that your kids are safe. *hugs*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Primal Curve: If he had your driver's license, it was probably so that he could use your credit card. Does that mean he spent a lot of time wearing headscarves?
Except that he clearly was aware that I had cancelled the card. (Why did he not then toss it? Search me.) I appreciate the visual, though!
Megan, thanks. Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
Wow, rivka. I've been the victim of a few petty crimes, but never something like this. What an awful experience. I'm so sorry. I'm glad they caught the guy.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Are they sure that the man they have in custody is the man who stole your purse? He could have stolen them off the man/woman who originally stole them from your house, it's not like thieves are impervious to theft or mugging.
But beside that, I am VERY glad the found some of your things, let us hope this is the end of the matter neh?
Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :
quote:Originally posted by Icarus: Paying for identity theft protection from a credit bureau seems like paying extortionists for me. FWIW, I think that's an awful suggestion.
Setting up an identity theft alert on your credit reports is free. There are services for a fee that go further, if you choose to use them.
I've had my identity stolen, and from my point of view, spending $15 a month to make sure that never happens again is well worth it. The months of time and effort it took me to get things back in order were insane, and I was one of the lucky ones, in that I actually got my credit restored. Lots of people have it worse than I did.
I think of it like credit insurance. I pay health insurance every month, but it's not extortion, it's so if something really bad happens, I'm somewhat protected.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
I don't know about the service you're using, but there was a study of identity theft protection/insurance programs a while back which found they (edit: that is, the several prominent services being studied) offered no meaningful additional protection against identity theft or strong assurance of reimbursement for actual damages due to identity theft.
Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :
I'm not actually using an identity theft insurance program, simply a service that keeps tabs on my various credit scores, and sends me an email if any changes occur, so I can verify that they're authorized. That way if anything funny happens, I can catch it immediately, and stop it before any real damage happens.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: Are they sure that the man they have in custody is the man who stole your purse?
Given that he is believed to also have burgled a number of houses within a few blocks of here, I think it's a safe bet.
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
Because your social security card was in your wallet as well I would strongly recommend you notify the three credit bureaus about the theft. That way you can be alerted to any new cards/accounts being opened in your name. In the future leave the SS card in a lockbox at home and only bring it out when you need it for employment etc.
Sorry this happened to you. Thankful he only stole your person and not your child's innocence. Scary world we live in!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Please note the date. That's right, exactly one month (to the day) from when I first tried to make a police report, I finally successfully did so. Only took intervention from a police department in another state (in addition to several voicemail messages from me). In the defense of the LAPD, both the detective who called me at work today (the one whose voicemail I left a message on Tuesday night, when I got home at 10 pm and discovered that officers had come by at 5:30 . . . without first calling to see if I were home, AGAIN) and the officers who came out tonight were EXTREMELY apologetic.
Apparently the phone system I did battle with is new (and has been at least partially improved since then). And the detective (who was extremely unhappy/embarrassed/pissed about the difficulties I had with this process, and asked for details (and promised to report them to TPTB) of how difficult it was for me to reach an actual person promised that if there were any problem with having officers come to take a report tonight (at the time I said I would definitely be home) he would come in person next week.
Most of what I know about police procedure comes from the In Death books, but even I know detectives don't usually take reports. And not only was he really helpful and apologetic, so were the two officers who came out tonight.
I guess that means the actual people working for the LAPD are good. The phone system and related technology, however . . . Posted by Dead_Horse (Member # 3027) on :
Waiting until after a criminal is caught to take a report on the crime is like waiting until the end of the day to write a "to do" list. If you only put the finished things on the list, then cross them all off, it feels so much better.
Maybe some of their compensation is dependent on the percentage of crimes solve. 100%! Yup!
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
at people who would sneak in someone's house and steal their purse!![[Frown]](frown.gif)
That sounds horrid.
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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That sucks big-time. I'm sorry.
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Now, it IS the Beverly Hills Library, but still. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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Small favors.
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That means it could easily have been have been one of my kids in that situation!!! *gets the shakes*![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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