Lost and Found Wallet
We all carry important items that help us get through the average day. Liff Happens wanted to sit down and explore what those items are, how they are used, and (of course) what happens when they go missing. So without further delay… Lost and Found Wallet.
Wallet: What's it for?
As the wise men say “a wallet in the hand is worth more than searching a bush for birds…” Something like that.
Basically, keeping track of your wallet opens up a whole world of opportunities. For example:
- Using cash or credit card to purchase things
- Showing identification to skeptical bar tenders
- Presenting your proof of insurance to the ER attendants after a tussle with the previous mentioned skeptical bar tender
- Gift cards… for some reason these still exist
- Social Security Cards (WHYYYYYYY?!?!?! STOP IT!)
- That single condom, feeling pretty confident of yourself huh?
Wallet Lost and Found: Lost...
Unfortunately, wallets, and in a common vein purses/wristlets, are one of the most commonly lost items. But how do these items go missing so frequently?
Theft
Wallets are a common target for pickpockets. Hanging the item out of your back pocket or leaving it on a table can often see these leather bound carrying cases disappear.
Negligence
The most common cause of all strife in the world, humans are bad at things. In this instance, keeping track of a thing. Wallets falling out of bags, left at checkout counters, left sitting in the chair we recently vacated, or just the contents being strewn about after opening can all lead to impactful loss. We need to set our game up.
Wallet Lost and Found: Found...
Recovering from a lost item depends on the item missing and the context of your situation. Realizing your wallet is gone at the exact moment your backup parachute has also failed to deploy and you’re now coping with the reality that you’re plummeting to your inevitable demise. Wallets, in this situation, might be the least of your concerns might not matter as much. But for most other contexts, it can make regular requirements quite difficult, such as purchasing goods or travel.
Before Loss
- Lower the risk by carrying around less stuff (looking at you Social Security Card people). Try cleaning out all the stuff that you don’t regularly need.
- Have some alternative backups. Payment is an easy one with the adoption of Apple Pay or Google Pay you now have a backup option on your phone if your credit cards or whole wallet are missing.
- Contact information in the wallet. Make it easy for any good samaritan to try getting the found item back to you. Include a note or business card with some contact details.
Side Note: attending music festivals this is why you should register that wristband with accurate data. We use those records to let you know we found the item and how to pick it up.
After Loss
Step 1: Don’t Panic!
Loss isn’t the end of the world and most often it is misplacement. So check your common areas and ask your friends.
Still no luck you will want to check with the organizations Lost & Found department to see if an items has been turned in or there is a way to be contacted as items are found (this is where the register wristband step is very useful). Keep an eye out on the process but try to not let the negative experience create too much unneeded worry.
Worry Quote: “Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.” -Wear Sunscreen
Start the recovery process in the meantime. Make a list of the missing contents and begin to reduce your future risk if possible, see below:
Recovery without Finding
Having an idea of the worst case scenario is always a good idea. So you might not find it. Now what?
- Reduce your future risk
- Identity theft and fraudulent purchases can haunt a person for years. So make sure to put a freeze on those credit & debit cards and you might want to consider identity monitoring.
- Address your immediate needs
- Catching flights, paying for short term needs (food, water, lodging), general identification all might be relevant in your situation.
- Start the recovery process
- The contents of the wallet will most likely impact your everyday life. Start by listing out all the items that were in the wallet when it went missing. Next fire up Google and start searching on canceling those items and having replacements reissued.
That’s pretty much it for your (mostly) Lost and Found Wallet scenarios. Let us know if we missed anything or check out all the cool lost & found stuff we do to help with the inevitable situation that something has gone missing.