Left Wallet in Cab in Chicago. Need Help Immediately.

November 17, 2014 8:52 PM

I'm visiting Chicago for a day. Of course the first thing I did was leave my wallet in the cab I rode in on. It was some independent guy not an agency so I can't call them. I do have a charge on my debit card (still in my pocket thankfully) which was made using a Square reader. That also says the guy's name. Can I track him down this way?

Thank you so much.

I don't even know how to get home without my IDs and such.

posted by Winnemac to Travel & Transportation around Chicago, IL (11 answers total)

It looks like at least some info is available to the public with regards to 'public chauffeur' records. See the instructions on this page, and good luck: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bacp/supp_info/public_chauffeurinformation.html
posted by papayaninja at 9:14 PM on November 17, 2014

Think about how he can track you down. What cards are in your wallet, and does any of them have a phone number or email address on it? If he calls one of the phone numbers in there, make sure that whoever answers know to tell him that yes, you are in Chicago and lost your wallet and here is your mobile number.
posted by Bentobox Humperdinck at 9:14 PM on November 17, 2014

This page has a list of taxi affiliations serving O'Hare airport. You could try calling those numbers and asking for the driver by name. (Even if he's owns his own cab, maybe he's affiliated with one of these.)

Some more resources from the Chicago BACP including some searchable lists of taxi medallions and licensed chauffeurs. If you need more suggestions, you could also call 311.
posted by mbrubeck at 9:17 PM on November 17, 2014 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I searched the database and found only one person with the same name. Now I have his record number. Can I connect that with a phone number somehow?
posted by Winnemac at 9:23 PM on November 17, 2014

I would suggest calling 311. The worst they can say is they can't help, but they might be able to track him down.
posted by bleep at 9:23 PM on November 17, 2014

Best answer: Try contacting Square (tweet them and email them tonight, and call tomorrow). Surely they have contact info for vendors.
posted by acidic at 9:47 PM on November 17, 2014 [1 favorite]

Travelers Aid Chicago.
4659 S Drexel Blvd, Chicago, IL 60653
Phone:[phone]
I'm guessing this is not the first time they've encountered this situation.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 4:30 AM on November 18, 2014

Just in case you can't get in touch with him before your flight: yes call 311/Travelers Aid as suggested above. Then call your own BMV and report your drivers license missing so you have a record of that report for the airlines. Then call the airlines NOW and tell them what happened. Often they can work with you to get you on the plane if you have a situation like this but it's much better to let them know in advance rather than just show up at the airport with no ID. Of course hoping you get your wallet back before your flight with some suggestions above.
posted by third rail at 4:50 AM on November 18, 2014

I had to fly after having lost my ID a few years ago and it worked out OK, I had to submit to a much more detailed screening. So leave yourself a lot of time before the flight if you still haven't gotten your wallet back.
posted by advicepig at 7:33 AM on November 18, 2014

Call the police-maybe that would help?
posted by jellyjam at 3:40 PM on November 18, 2014

Make sure to log onto Facebook as well if you have a uncommon name. I have been found that way by someone who found my wallet.
posted by corb at 4:24 PM on November 18, 2014 [1 favorite]