mlb231
April 5th, 2005, 10:18 AM
I've never had anything stolen while riding, but I have had my locker broken into at the gym. From that unpleasant experience I can offer a few suggestions:
1. Find a copier and make copies of both the front and back of everything in your wallet. Keep one copy in a safe deposit box and another copy somewhere secure that you can get to quickly if your wallet is stolen.
I then have a separate list in the same place with the phone numbers of each credit card in my wallet (to notify them that the card was stolen) and the numbers of the 3 major credit agencies: Equifax (800) 525-6285, Experian (888) 397-3742, and Transunion (800) 680-7289. If your stuff is stolen, call them and request a "fraud alert" be put on your file. This will prevent identity theft.
You should also have a complete set of extra keys...and don't forget to change your locks! Remember, the thief now has your address and the keys to your house, car, etc. Usually these guys are hit and run and they just want to charge things before you cancel the card. However, more enterprising thieves may be bold enough to follow up.
2. Leave unnecessary stuff at home/in your office. Now when I go to the gym I lock my wallet and in my desk and hide the keys. The most they can steal now are my clothes and ID badge, neither of which is a big problem.
3. Laugh about it! Your stuff is gone; what is getting angry going to do? It happens that my stuff was stolen while I was working out at lunch in a job I just started 1 week before. So, I had the unique experience of discussing this in my boss' office wearing a sweat-soaked t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers (in a very stuffy, professional atmosphere) plus everyone passing by wanted to know about it so I met a lot of people.
Hope you never need to use this stuff, but you may as well benefit from my difficulties!
Mike
1. Find a copier and make copies of both the front and back of everything in your wallet. Keep one copy in a safe deposit box and another copy somewhere secure that you can get to quickly if your wallet is stolen.
I then have a separate list in the same place with the phone numbers of each credit card in my wallet (to notify them that the card was stolen) and the numbers of the 3 major credit agencies: Equifax (800) 525-6285, Experian (888) 397-3742, and Transunion (800) 680-7289. If your stuff is stolen, call them and request a "fraud alert" be put on your file. This will prevent identity theft.
You should also have a complete set of extra keys...and don't forget to change your locks! Remember, the thief now has your address and the keys to your house, car, etc. Usually these guys are hit and run and they just want to charge things before you cancel the card. However, more enterprising thieves may be bold enough to follow up.
2. Leave unnecessary stuff at home/in your office. Now when I go to the gym I lock my wallet and in my desk and hide the keys. The most they can steal now are my clothes and ID badge, neither of which is a big problem.
3. Laugh about it! Your stuff is gone; what is getting angry going to do? It happens that my stuff was stolen while I was working out at lunch in a job I just started 1 week before. So, I had the unique experience of discussing this in my boss' office wearing a sweat-soaked t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers (in a very stuffy, professional atmosphere) plus everyone passing by wanted to know about it so I met a lot of people.
Hope you never need to use this stuff, but you may as well benefit from my difficulties!
Mike