Lost my driver's license, am 19 years old, never had a credit card or applied for credit in any fashion before, how likely is identify theft?
March 8, 2011 11:37 PM Subscribe
Lost my driver's license, am 19 years old, never had a credit card or applied for credit in any fashion before, how likely is identify theft?
Okay, so on February 18 I was taking a calculus exam and ended up leaving my wallet on the floor. When I figured this out about 20 minutes or so after the test, I ran back as fast as I could and checked under the seat where I sat, but there was nothing. This was on a Friday, and on Monday I went to the campus lost and found and they had my student id card, which I distinctly remember falling out of my hands and on the ground during the test when they asked us to take it out to be sure somebody else wasn't taking the test for us, but not my wallet. I then called bank of america on Monday after recovering my student id and called them to cancel my debit card and mail me a new one, and in the process I learned that the card hadn't been used since February 17, the day before the exam. I haven't had my car for a while and so saw no reason to rush to get a new driver's license, but recently I got a ticket for driving without a license and in the process discovered that my identity could be compromised with my driver's license, though previously I hadn't really been worried about it. Anyway, nothing else was in my wallet except for my debit card at the time it went missing, I was among the last to leave the exam and my school is a rather small commuter school focused on science and engineering with lots of smart, nerdy, trustworthy-seeming introverts. I remain fairly convinced that my wallet managed to disappear into some nook or cranny somewhere, and it seems like there would be more obstacles to stealing the identity of somebody who had never even had a credit card before, let alone taken out a mortgage or something, though that might not be the case. Anyway, how worried should I be, and what steps should I take (besides getting a new driver's license) to ensure nothing happens?
Okay, so on February 18 I was taking a calculus exam and ended up leaving my wallet on the floor. When I figured this out about 20 minutes or so after the test, I ran back as fast as I could and checked under the seat where I sat, but there was nothing. This was on a Friday, and on Monday I went to the campus lost and found and they had my student id card, which I distinctly remember falling out of my hands and on the ground during the test when they asked us to take it out to be sure somebody else wasn't taking the test for us, but not my wallet. I then called bank of america on Monday after recovering my student id and called them to cancel my debit card and mail me a new one, and in the process I learned that the card hadn't been used since February 17, the day before the exam. I haven't had my car for a while and so saw no reason to rush to get a new driver's license, but recently I got a ticket for driving without a license and in the process discovered that my identity could be compromised with my driver's license, though previously I hadn't really been worried about it. Anyway, nothing else was in my wallet except for my debit card at the time it went missing, I was among the last to leave the exam and my school is a rather small commuter school focused on science and engineering with lots of smart, nerdy, trustworthy-seeming introverts. I remain fairly convinced that my wallet managed to disappear into some nook or cranny somewhere, and it seems like there would be more obstacles to stealing the identity of somebody who had never even had a credit card before, let alone taken out a mortgage or something, though that might not be the case. Anyway, how worried should I be, and what steps should I take (besides getting a new driver's license) to ensure nothing happens?
File a police report for a "lost or misplaced wallet" (this differentiates it from a stolen wallet). That way, you'll have a report to back you up if you experience any identity theft related problems.
posted by amyms at 11:47 PM on March 8, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by amyms at 11:47 PM on March 8, 2011 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Explain this part in more detail. What signs are telling you that your identity is stolen?
Absolutely nothing, just googled "lost driver's license" on the internet and learned about the possibility. No weird mail, phone calls from creditors or anything (though it would probably be a bit too early for that), nothing.
posted by bookman117 at 11:50 PM on March 8, 2011
Absolutely nothing, just googled "lost driver's license" on the internet and learned about the possibility. No weird mail, phone calls from creditors or anything (though it would probably be a bit too early for that), nothing.
posted by bookman117 at 11:50 PM on March 8, 2011
Response by poster: I got my car back this past Friday and got the ticket while I was driving on Monday. I should have been more clear on this point.
posted by bookman117 at 11:53 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by bookman117 at 11:53 PM on March 8, 2011
The chances of someone finding your wallet are probably like 1 in 3.
The chances that person is malicious and will try to exploit that item is say another 1in 3 (most people I think would attempt to return it).
The chance that malicious person is willing to invest more time and effort in it than simply grabbing any cash out of it and attempting to use the debit card to buy gas is probably 1 in 10.
The chance that this happenstance malicious discoverer of your wallet who is also quite motivated to exploit it is also skilled at identity theft is probably 1 in 5,000.
So, my odds on any identity theft actually happening here are in the neighborhood of 1/450,000.
Even if I'm off by a factor of 100, it's still pretty damn unlikely that anything bad will happen here.
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 12:02 AM on March 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
The chances that person is malicious and will try to exploit that item is say another 1in 3 (most people I think would attempt to return it).
The chance that malicious person is willing to invest more time and effort in it than simply grabbing any cash out of it and attempting to use the debit card to buy gas is probably 1 in 10.
The chance that this happenstance malicious discoverer of your wallet who is also quite motivated to exploit it is also skilled at identity theft is probably 1 in 5,000.
So, my odds on any identity theft actually happening here are in the neighborhood of 1/450,000.
Even if I'm off by a factor of 100, it's still pretty damn unlikely that anything bad will happen here.
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 12:02 AM on March 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
When a wallet is stolen, the likely outcomes are more or less ranked as follows:
Cash theft > fraudulent credit card charges > identity theft
I absolutely would not assume the worst case scenario. The conventional wisdom in the aftermath of a theft like that is to cancel all cards, replace your license, and pull your free credit report 60 days later.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:34 AM on March 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cash theft > fraudulent credit card charges > identity theft
I absolutely would not assume the worst case scenario. The conventional wisdom in the aftermath of a theft like that is to cancel all cards, replace your license, and pull your free credit report 60 days later.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:34 AM on March 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Idenity theft based solely upon a lost driver's license is highly unlikely. I wouldn't sweat it but you could report a lost wallet to the police if having it on record would put your mind at ease.
posted by emd3737 at 3:32 AM on March 9, 2011
posted by emd3737 at 3:32 AM on March 9, 2011
Agreed, if you file the lost/misplaced wallet report that will give you some documentation.
I don't know what just a drivers license does for someone - I feel like starting with just that you'd need to be fairly dedicated and have some skill at identity theft to get to the point where that's a profitable endeavor.
Some states used to, maybe still do, use your social security number for a drivers license number, but it doesn't look to me like Texas does that.
Maybe if you got pickpocketed in a major city, maybe then I would feel a little more like it was a risk, but losing it at a school like you described, and there was no attempt to use the debit card? Seems unlikely.
You can take a look at your credit report at https://www.annualcreditreport.com -- that is the only legit "free credit report" site. You have three credit reports in effect - one at each bureau - and some people spread them out and ask for one of each at different times (you can only get one of each free per year, so if you ask for all of them at once then you are done for the year).
posted by mrs. taters at 5:45 AM on March 9, 2011
I don't know what just a drivers license does for someone - I feel like starting with just that you'd need to be fairly dedicated and have some skill at identity theft to get to the point where that's a profitable endeavor.
Some states used to, maybe still do, use your social security number for a drivers license number, but it doesn't look to me like Texas does that.
Maybe if you got pickpocketed in a major city, maybe then I would feel a little more like it was a risk, but losing it at a school like you described, and there was no attempt to use the debit card? Seems unlikely.
You can take a look at your credit report at https://www.annualcreditreport.com -- that is the only legit "free credit report" site. You have three credit reports in effect - one at each bureau - and some people spread them out and ask for one of each at different times (you can only get one of each free per year, so if you ask for all of them at once then you are done for the year).
posted by mrs. taters at 5:45 AM on March 9, 2011
I am incredulous.
When you lose ID (and ESPECIALLY Identification + any banking or credit cards!!) cancel, cancel, cancel, and report/replace. I once had my credit card number stolen when paying the bill at a restaurant - you just never know. With technology today and the Internet, I could do heaps of damage with just your license and bank card .... and I'm not even knowledgeable about that sort of thing.
Next time, report all cards and ID lost or stolen.
(as an example that doesn't immediately include credit fraud, your valid Texas license could be very valuable to someone with the skills to manufacture multiple copies and sell them to folks that aren't in the US legally so they may fill out w2's and work. For a W2, even a slightly altered photocopy of your original license (insert photo here!) will do for some employers. It's possible nothing bad will happen this time, but why chance it?? Develop responsible habits now. This won't be the last time you lose stuff. We all do it. In fact, I just lost an Amex card last week! Next time, cancel and report right away so you have it documented. Good luck!)
posted by jbenben at 7:47 AM on March 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
When you lose ID (and ESPECIALLY Identification + any banking or credit cards!!) cancel, cancel, cancel, and report/replace. I once had my credit card number stolen when paying the bill at a restaurant - you just never know. With technology today and the Internet, I could do heaps of damage with just your license and bank card .... and I'm not even knowledgeable about that sort of thing.
Next time, report all cards and ID lost or stolen.
(as an example that doesn't immediately include credit fraud, your valid Texas license could be very valuable to someone with the skills to manufacture multiple copies and sell them to folks that aren't in the US legally so they may fill out w2's and work. For a W2, even a slightly altered photocopy of your original license (insert photo here!) will do for some employers. It's possible nothing bad will happen this time, but why chance it?? Develop responsible habits now. This won't be the last time you lose stuff. We all do it. In fact, I just lost an Amex card last week! Next time, cancel and report right away so you have it documented. Good luck!)
posted by jbenben at 7:47 AM on March 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is potentially hugely serious.
>File a police report for a "lost or misplaced wallet" (this differentiates it from a stolen wallet).
>When you lose ID (and ESPECIALLY Identification + any banking or credit cards!!) cancel, cancel, cancel, and report/replace.
Take these two bits of advice, immediately.
ID theft can become an utter hell, very quickly. Build every bulwark you can, as soon as possible.
posted by darth_tedious at 8:04 AM on March 9, 2011
>File a police report for a "lost or misplaced wallet" (this differentiates it from a stolen wallet).
>When you lose ID (and ESPECIALLY Identification + any banking or credit cards!!) cancel, cancel, cancel, and report/replace.
Take these two bits of advice, immediately.
ID theft can become an utter hell, very quickly. Build every bulwark you can, as soon as possible.
posted by darth_tedious at 8:04 AM on March 9, 2011
Wouldn't reporting the loss to the DMV and replacing your license ASAP be enough to forestall identity theft? Go do it now.
AFAIK, the only thing your license can really be used for is in-person stuff like getting into a bar or driving-related things. Maybe writing bad checks, if you live in a place where people have to put their DL # on checks (do they still do this? I remember it being a thing when I worked retail in 1998 or so).
I would be a lot more concerned if they had your social security number or any other identifying info that could have been in your wallet.
posted by Sara C. at 10:32 AM on March 9, 2011
AFAIK, the only thing your license can really be used for is in-person stuff like getting into a bar or driving-related things. Maybe writing bad checks, if you live in a place where people have to put their DL # on checks (do they still do this? I remember it being a thing when I worked retail in 1998 or so).
I would be a lot more concerned if they had your social security number or any other identifying info that could have been in your wallet.
posted by Sara C. at 10:32 AM on March 9, 2011
sell them to folks that aren't in the US legally so they may fill out w2's and work.
A driver's license is not enough documentation for a W2.
I'm also unsure of how this would ever fall into the original owner of the license's lap. It's not a crime to lose your wallet. The worst that could happen would be that the fraudulent licenses would be traced to OP, and some overzealous FBI or INS man in black would want to see a police report concerning the lost wallet. So, yeah, police report and/or any other procedures at your disposal to document the loss.
posted by Sara C. at 10:39 AM on March 9, 2011
A driver's license is not enough documentation for a W2.
I'm also unsure of how this would ever fall into the original owner of the license's lap. It's not a crime to lose your wallet. The worst that could happen would be that the fraudulent licenses would be traced to OP, and some overzealous FBI or INS man in black would want to see a police report concerning the lost wallet. So, yeah, police report and/or any other procedures at your disposal to document the loss.
posted by Sara C. at 10:39 AM on March 9, 2011
Report it lost to the DPS and get a new one. That's all you can do, really. It was just a DL. As long as they don't have your SSN, you're probably alright. I've lost my Texas drivers license (more than once, actually) and nothing ever happened other than having to go the DPS and wait in line forever and pay for a new one.
posted by elpea at 10:40 AM on March 9, 2011
posted by elpea at 10:40 AM on March 9, 2011
*DMV, not DPS. I forgot they changed the agency recently.
posted by elpea at 10:40 AM on March 9, 2011
posted by elpea at 10:40 AM on March 9, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
>recently I got a ticket for driving without a license
Explain this part in more detail. What signs are telling you that your identity is stolen?
posted by colinshark at 11:46 PM on March 8, 2011