Works For Me: Purse Safety
As you might imagine, I have purse issues on the brain. My purse was stolen a week ago, and my husband and I have spent untold hours working on all the credit card/ checking account/driver's license issues.
(And also? I have gone purse shopping, and I have a very cute one to show for my efforts. My grandmother called me as soon as she heard about the theft, her voice full of sympathy and righeous indignation. "Honey, I want to buy you a new purse. Even if it's not on sale." Those are fightin' words for the women shoppers in my family. We even went out for a Sonic Diet Coke afterwards, so my weary soul is feeling soothed.)
Now that I've had my purse stolen TWICE in eight months, I've learned a few tips I'd like to share with those of you who have not yet had my encounter with criminal dark side of humanity:
1. For the frickin'-frackin' love of Pete, do not EVER leave your purse in your car. EVER. Even if it's daylight, even if it's a good part of town, even if you're just running inside, even if your car is in your garage.
2. If you are ever tempted to leave your purse in your car, smack yourself in the head with it and read #1 again.
3. We've always had one credit card and one checking account. Not anymore, as a result of this little adventure. Now we have two of each. One credit card and checking account is for actually keeping with us in my purse and/or Hubs' wallet. It's only for daily purchases. We are setting up separate credit card/checking accounts for all our automatic fund withdrawls, and [*insert flashing lights*] WE ARE NOT CARRYING THOSE ACCOUNTS WITH US. THEY WILL BE LOCKED IN A DRAWER AT HOME. That way if this happens to us again, we won't have to cancel those "locked-up" accounts, and we won't lose a week of our lives moving all the automatic transfers over.
4. Photocopy everything in your purse, and keep it in a safe place. Driver's license, credit cards (front and back), health insurance cards, everything should be copied!. This may sound high maintenance, but I promise, if your purse is ever taken, you will weep with gratitude that you did this.
5. Did I mention you should never leave your purse in your car?
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This is seriously good advice. I have some work to do & I need to stop leaving my purse in the car. Used to do it all the time - I promise I will quit!
Posted by: Nicole @ Life in Progress | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Thank you for the advice! I have always heard that it was a good idea to photocopy everything in your wallet, and this is jsut the kick in the pants I needed to make me do it.
Great idea about the 2nd bank account!
Posted by: The (Almost) Amazing Mammarino | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:25 PM
sorry to hear about your mishap!
also you can try an online checking account line www.ingdirect.com. You don't have paper trails since everything is electronically! =)
Posted by: A happy mommy | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:28 PM
I've never thought about opening a 2nd bank account. That is wonderful advice.
I leave my purse in my car all the time. I'm so guilty. I'll stop, I promise.
Posted by: Domestic Spaz | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Having had a purse stolen as well- I heartily second your photocopying tip... There is no feeling worse than knowing that someone may be emptying your bank account and running up credit card bills while you're hunting down your account numbers!
Posted by: LeeAnn (AKA FrazzMom) | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:32 PM
You mentioned the broke into the car - any damage? :(
I've never had a purse or wallet stolen. Mostly lost out of my own sheer clumsyness. Well, I did have one very vicious purse that "lost" my wallet for two weeks and destroyed a $300 camera I'd bought with a bonus/raise I'd earned.
Want to try to break the jinx of a very cute black and white shoulder purse that closes with a single magnet/snap?
Posted by: aunt mommy | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:32 PM
I'm so sorry you had to learn all this the hard way, but thank you for the advice. I will be putting this to good use. I am glad you got to get a new purse out of it, though! :)
Posted by: Blue Castle | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:33 PM
I've heard a million times that I should photocopy both sides of all my cards, and yet I keep putting it off. Tomorrow, mark my words, I'm going to make myself do this.
Also, cancel any accounts that you aren't using. You know the ones I mean--where they talk you into signing up for the store's credit card and you do it so you can save the extra 15% and then you never use it again. Cancel them before someone else maxes out your account for you.
Posted by: Teble | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Murphy's law strikes again!
I'm just so sorry it's struck your purse twice.
Posted by: Joy | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:45 PM
REALLY good tips... You made a lot of points about things I KNOW I should and shouldn't do... like leave my purse in the car... I am REALLY guilty of this one. Thanks for correcting me!
Posted by: LifeatTheCircus | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:55 PM
I really needed this reminder -- I am so bad about leaving my purse in the car. It's so easy to rationalize that it's daytime, it's a safe area, I live in the country, etc.
Your suggestion about having two credit cards/bank accounts is really smart -- I never considered that before. You're right, it would save a lot of time and headaches.
I'm so sorry you had to go through this -- but I appreciate you sharing your "lessons learned."
Posted by: Michelle@Life with Three | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Great advice.
(And thanks for moderating the WFMW. It's a hard job, and some of us could easily take it for granted. Thanks.)
Posted by: Christy | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:57 PM
This is all true. My husband manages a bank and you won't believe how many people come in per week because their purse was stolen. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PURSES OR ANYTHING OF THE LIKE VISIBLE IN YOUR CARS. We live in a pretty nice area and theft has gone up in this aspect quite a bit. Great adivce.
Posted by: Andrea | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Thanks for this great reminder! I will photocopy my wallet right now. Tips we use: we have three different credit cards. One number we use just for on-line purposes. Another one for the husband, and another one for me. This way if his wallet is stolen we have mine (in both our names). If mine is stolen we have his (also in my name). And another tip: all mail that is money related (most of it!) goes to a PO Box that has a different zip code. If someone gets your card they will usually use the zip code of your home address. It won't work.
Thanks again!
Posted by: Darla | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Oh, the copy everything is a great tip I have never thought of. Guess what I'll be doing with a few minutes of tomorrow??
Thanks! :-)
Posted by: momrn2 | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 11:04 PM
I am so sorry for this latest purse caper. Especially since this is the second go around.
But I have to tell you that today, when I parked in the street across from the kids school today, I took my purse with me. I NEVER did that before. I just figured I was right out side the school, and would only be a minute. Plus, there are people milling about all over the place...right?
I thought of you as I flung my purse over my shoulder, and was grateful that you shared your story so that people like me can learn!
Hang in there!
Posted by: kellie | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Can we see a picture of the new purse? (Or are you afraid putting up a picture online would be like setting out a target on a shooting range?? ;)
Grandmas are great!
Posted by: Mommy | Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 11:08 PM
I had my wallet stolen at the grocery store a couple of years ago. Not fun. You'd think I would've learned, but no. But maybe this is a good kick in the pants to go photocopy that stuff!
Posted by: Sandwiched | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Great tips! I've photocopied the contents of my purse when traveling abroad, but haven't thought about the fact that I really should do it here--especially since my purse has so much extra info in it that I never carry on vacations!
Posted by: Green Baby | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Been there, done that! Only once, it is quite traumatic isn't it? I'm so sorry it happened twice to you.
Now, I'm pretty intense about not leaving my purse or anyone else's in my car anymore.
Love the WFMW and thought I'd play today.
Posted by: Hislifeformine | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 12:14 AM
I love the advice about the double accounts - that is a truly fabulous idea!!!! Plus, if you don't use those ATM cards, you're much less likely to have them copied and used fraudulently, leaving less work later!!!
Posted by: Julesie | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Thanks, Shannon. I hate that you've had to experience this in order to give us this phenomenal advice, but I am ever so appreciative. I have never thought of the separate account for automatic withdrawals. And to be sure, I haven't photocopied anything, but I will be at office depot bright and early in the morning to do just that.
Posted by: Karen (Simply A Musing Blog) | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 12:25 AM
those are great tips. thanks.
Posted by: chickadee | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 12:33 AM
AWESOME advice... best of luck for no future purse thefts :-) I had mine stolen and I now wear a fanny pack (as in, I never put it down!). I do feel a little fashion challenged at times, but it's worth it I think. Oh yes and I keep photocopies of everything in my wallet - no originals (except for a credit and debit card). What was really infuriating about my purse theft was that I spent $$$ replacing everything, and then a week later got a phone call from someone who had found it... everything was there, all my ID, etc., - only cash was missing. So I went to the expense of replacing everything for nothing. Arrrgh!! lol
Posted by: JeanneE | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 12:39 AM
I'll have to take your advice. I leave my purse in the car and hide it under a coat. But, I bet thieves probably know that trick and aren't fooled by it.
I've accidentally signed up 4 times on Mr. Linky. When I reloaded this page 3 times, it automatically signed me up. So, I need to be deleted from #66,#67, #70
Posted by: Ellen | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 01:04 AM