Call the Police

• You are a victim of a crime. Report the incident to the police and give them as much information as you possibly can. Tell them when and where your purse was stolen and what it looks like. Write down an inventory of everything that was in your purse. If you think you know who took it, give the police a description of the individual(s). Be sure to keep a copy of the police report for your records. You may need to give copies to your credit card companies and your banks.
  
  

Cancel Credit and Debit Cards

• Call your bank and your credit card companies and tell them about the theft. They have action plans in place when a credit card, checkbook or other financial information is stolen. If you have an outstanding balance on your card or have multiple credit cards, don't cancel the cards outright. Doing so could cause your interest rates to go up on the outstanding balance. Instead, request new account numbers and new cards that have the same benefits you already have.
  
  

Report Stolen Information

• Contact utility companies and let them know about the theft. They will look to see if new accounts have been opened in your name. Call the Department of Motor Vehicles and report your missing driver's license number. Request a new license with a new number. Let the credit bureaus know about your stolen credit cards. They will place a fraud alert on your credit report, which will require creditors to verify your identity before issuing credit approval. Verification is made by the creditor, who will ask you to confirm the identity information you placed on the fraud alert when you contacted the credit bureaus.
  
  

Replace What Was Stolen

• Cancel your bank accounts and open new ones. Let the bank know detailed information about any outstanding checks, including the number of each check, to whom they were made out and the amount of each check. Most banks have procedures in place that will allow only those checks to be paid. Replace your ATM card, debit card and credit card account numbers with new cards, new card numbers and new account numbers. Remember to replace your passwords and PIN numbers as well. If your house keys or car keys were in your purse, get your locks changed.