Keys |
If you’ve had keys stolen it’s a good idea to have locks changed, especially with house and car keys. This is even more important if the thief has your address. While this can be expensive, it will avoid giving a criminal easy access to your property and may give you peace of mind. If you’ve lost office or work keys, think what other steps you can take to protect your security. |
Driving licence |
You must apply for a duplicate licence at once. You can do this online at the Directgov website, in one of the DVLA offices, or by using form D1 which you can get from Post Offices. |
Credit and store cards |
Tell the company concerned as soon as possible – first by phone, followed by a letter or email to confirm. Most card companies have a 24-hour lost card service. |
Pension and allowance books |
You should tell the issuing authority (usually the Department for Work and Pensions quickly. If you get payments at the Post Office you need to tell them too. You will be sent new books, but it could take a week or two. Until that happens, payments are normally made by Giro. |
Savings books |
Notify the bank, building society or Post Office immediately. Cheque book, cheque card and cash cards Let your bank know at once that your cards have been taken. All major banks operate a lost card service. Remember that it’s important to keep bank cards separate from your cheque book. |
Uncashed cheques, giros or money orders |
Inform the issuing company straight away. They may be able to stop payment and reissue for you. If a cheque is from another person, tell them and ask them to request that the bank stop payment. If there is an order drawn on your account for someone else, tell the bank at once and stop payment on the cheque. |
Receipts |
If you have lost receipts for things that are being cleaned or repaired, get in touch with the shop or services concerned and arrange to collect your things as soon as you can. |
Passport |
Inform both the police and the office that issued your passport that it has been stolen. |
Overseas passport or identity cards |
Tell your embassy or consulate. |
Library tickets and cards |
You can be liable for books, tapes or videos taken out in your name and not returned. Speak to the library and let them know your cards have been taken. |
Student pass |
Let your school or college know. |
Travel passes |
Notify the issuing company at once. You can normally get duplicate tickets from the station you bought it from or the issuing authority. |
Prescription drugs |
If your bag contained dangerous drugs or medication, it’s possible that children could find them if the thief throws them away. Let the police know as soon as possible to help prevent accidental poisoning. |
Mobile phones |
Tell the phone company and insurance company if the phone is insured. Every mobile has a unique 15-digit identifying number that allows phone companies to block it if it’s stolen, even if the SIM card is changed.This won’t help you but it will make the phone useless to the thief. To find the number on your phone, dial *#06#. Keep a note of this number separate from your phone and remember to update it if you get a new handset. Insurance If you have your home contents insured, it may cover you for the loss of items stolen when away from home. Check your policy and make a claim if you can. |
Stolen cash and credit cards |
Do not give your PIN number (your personal identification number fo rcash and credit cards) to anyone. Do not write it down and carry it around with you. Thieves sometimes call and pretend to be your bank to ask your PIN number after they steal your cards. Banks don’t normally ask for your PIN number. So if this happens, don’t give the information, ask for their number and say you will call back. Then contact the police immediately. |