1. BE 100% SURE
Before you can confirm that your wallet is lost or stolen make sure that you did not just misplace it. Keep calm and carefully retrace your steps. Check if your wallet just fell out of your drawer at work, inside your car, or hidden at the sides of the couch.
Do not hesitate to call or to talk to the people in charge of the place you have recently been (e.g., restaurants or shops). And, if there is still no luck and you are 100% sure that it is gone then, you must proceed to number two.
2. CALL YOUR DEBIT AND CREDIT CARD ISSUERS
If your lost wallet contains your debit, credit, and ATM cards, you must immediately call your bank or card issuer. You will be happy that you acted swiftly and prevented any unauthorized withdrawals at the moment of your loss. Instead of canceling your cards, you must report your cards as lost or stolen. The bank or the card issuer has a procedure that will suspend the card to keep your wealth safe.
Then, you must replace your cards with new ones. According to a Singaporean blog, only POSB/DBS banks will deliver your new ATM card directly to you. While Maybank and UOB requires you to go down to their branches personally. They will require you to present your IC too and if you lost your IC, bring your passport along and proceed to number three.
3. REPLACE YOUR IDENTITY CARD
One of the most important things that you might have in your wallet is your Identity Card (IC). If you lose your IC and it is not stolen then, you may go straight to ICA to get a new one. Otherwise, you are required to have a police report or to present the completed Declaration Form NR 12. Bonded by the law, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who lost their ICs are required to report it and apply for replacement within 14 days.
Please bring the following documents:
a. One recent passport sized photo (i.e., photo-taking services are available at the 2nd and 4th level of the building)
b. Police report or completed Declaration Form NR 12 if you are a victim of a crime
c. Passport
d. Entry and Re-Entry Permits
e. Malaysian IC (i.e., if it’s applicable)
Be ready to pay S$100 as a first timer. Subsequent losses will have to pay a fee of S$300.
4. FILE A POLICE REPORT TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Do not take your loss or theft too lightly. You must take this step in order to replace your IC if your wallet was really stolen. Furthermore, it will provide sufficient evidence if you become a victim of fraud or identity theft.
Be ready to answer the police officer’s questions such as:
When and where did you lose your wallet?
What are the articles inside your wallet?
If it is stolen, can you describe anyone suspicious?
Then, keep a copy of the report afterwards.
5. CHANGE YOUR LOCKS IF YOUR KEYS ARE INSIDE
If your keys are missing along with your wallet, you must change the locks to prevent the event of a break in. Even if your wallet was returned perfectly, someone could have easily made a copy of your keys and your information.
Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)
It is better to be safe than sorry! 🙂