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Protecting Against Identity Theft: Tips for Dealing with a Stolen Laptop

M
MandyK
Here's the problem --my husband's laptop got stolen off his desk while he was out to lunch (everyone was out of the office except one person who did not hear the intruder come in). In addition to work info, he also had a lot of personal info on it -- our social security numbers (us and our kids), credit card numbers, pin numbers -- you know a identity thief's dream line up. He reported it stolen and is going his route to try to prevent major disasters. Do you have any suggestions? So far he has:

1. contacted credit card companies
2. social security administration.

I'm totally freaked. He had way too much info on it -- if he didn't feel so mad/bad, I'd totally kill him. Help! :confused: :eek:
 
Did you call your regular bank? Even if bank info wasn't in there people can get it with SS numbers and such...
 
Oh- and what about home addresses? Is there any files/templates that have your home address included on it where they could find you? I know that sometimes people find things that make them want more stuff/info from your home. I don't want to freak you out but want you to be on alert!!

For instance all our personal info is on the TaxCut program that we just did our taxes on... if someone stole my laptop right now they would have addresses, phone #'s and SS #'s!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Gillian -- great comments -- calling husband now!
 
You should put fraud alerts on your credit reports. The VA put them on my husband when they had all the laptops stolen. We are currently in the process of buying a house and you have to go through a couple extra security steps to get credit but it is well worth it. They had to call us to come in person, got a copy of our drivers license and had to ask several questions about past credit to be positive it was us. Without knowing your past credit no one can open a new loan or credit card.
 

1. What steps should be taken after a laptop is stolen?

After a laptop has been stolen, there are several steps that should be taken immediately to protect against identity theft. These include:

  • Reporting the theft to the police and obtaining a copy of the police report.
  • Notifying credit card companies and banks to cancel any cards or accounts that may have been compromised.
  • Contacting the Social Security Administration to report the theft and potential identity theft.
  • Changing passwords for any online accounts that may have been accessed through the stolen laptop.
  • Enrolling in a credit monitoring service to keep an eye on any suspicious activity.

2. What specific actions should be taken to protect against identity theft after a laptop is stolen?

Some specific actions that should be taken to protect against identity theft after a laptop is stolen include:

  • Freezing credit reports to prevent any new accounts from being opened in the victim's name.
  • Notifying the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) of the theft and requesting a fraud alert on the victim's credit report.
  • Monitoring bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized charges.
  • Being cautious of any suspicious emails or phone calls requesting personal information.
  • Keeping all important documents and personal information in a secure place.

3. How can one protect against identity theft in the future?

To protect against identity theft in the future, some steps that can be taken include:

  • Using strong and unique passwords for all online accounts.
  • Securing personal information and documents in a safe place.
  • Being cautious of sharing personal information online or over the phone.
  • Regularly checking credit reports and bank statements for any suspicious activity.
  • Using a credit monitoring service for added protection.

4. What should be done if sensitive personal information was stored on the stolen laptop?

If sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers and credit card numbers, was stored on the stolen laptop, it is important to take immediate action. This may include:

  • Contacting credit card companies and banks to cancel any compromised accounts.
  • Notifying the Social Security Administration of the theft and potential identity theft.
  • Placing a fraud alert on credit reports.
  • Enrolling in a credit monitoring service.
  • Changing passwords for online accounts.

5. How can one prevent a stolen laptop from leading to identity theft?

To prevent a stolen laptop from leading to identity theft, it is important to take precautions such as:

  • Creating strong and unique passwords for all online accounts.
  • Encrypting sensitive information stored on the laptop.
  • Keeping personal information and documents in a secure place.
  • Regularly backing up important data on an external hard drive or cloud storage.
  • Enabling remote tracking and wiping of the laptop in case of theft.

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