Stolen or lost documents: what to do and who to report

Posted by Lone on January 14th, 2022

When your documents are stolen, the problem is always the same: you don\'t know what to do. Who do you report to? But do you have to tell anyone? Don\'t worry, here\'s the guide.

Your wallet was stolen

Or maybe the bag, even the car. Either way, you have an obvious problem. And not only for the lost money but also and above all for the stolen documents. What to do now?

The bureaucratic process scares you, you don\'t know how to move. Especially when you have to leave or have other commitments that require official documents such as an identity card, passport, health care, and driving license.

In a nutshell, what to do when you have to face the stumbling block of stolen documents? Don\'t worry, here is a practical guide to solve, step by step, all the steps necessary to have the documents in your wallet again.

What to do before being stolen

The best way to solve the problem: avoid it. First, avoid carrying unnecessary documents with you (such as a passport to go shopping), and then make sure you are always in control of the situation. This means being aware of the areas you go to, of the situations you find yourself in. A few details are enough to avoid complaints and problems:

• Avoid dodgy areas at night;
• Beware of heavily-trafficked areas;
• Protected on buses and trams;
• Do not put the bag in the car;
• Walk the wrong way on the sidewalk;
• Keep the bag on the inner side of the street;
• Pay attention to stations, means of transport, markets;
• Check the situation at withdrawals.

Particular precautions should be taken to women and the elderly, the favorite targets of pickpockets and wallet thieves. Sometimes it is the opportunity that allows these characters to act. Closed bags and open eyes: this is the rule to be respected.

Stolen documents: report of theft or loss

Stolen documents along with wallet or purse? The first step: go to the Carabinieri or the Police for a report of loss or theft. The procedure is identical, change the declaration you will make at the barracks or the police station. In any case, it is important to declare the loss of your documents: they could be used for various offenses, so reporting is vital.

Block ATMs and credit cards

In the meantime, it blocks everything related to the distribution of money through credit cards, debit cards, checkbooks, prepaid cards, Postepay, and more. This is to avoid even more substantial theft of money. Here are the numbers to call to block cards, ATMs, and anything that could lead to financial problems after the theft.

The rule is the same: do you need to carry all credit cards in your wallet? Especially when traveling, it pays to have the option not to bring all sources of money in one place. In case of theft, you lose everything and it is not the best. The numbers are active 24 hours a day, in any case, you can go to the branches and solve. Be careful, never keep the PIN marked in your wallet!

How to redo stolen documents

After reporting and blocking you have to redo all the stolen documents, and this is where the process starts. Don\'t worry, it is above all the idea that scares you. Start here: prepare everything you need and go to the right offices to solve the problem. To speed up the procedures and alleviate problems, it is advisable to always have a photocopy of the most important documents at home.

Credit card and debit card

To redo the cards that concern the delivery of money you just have to go to the bank or post office that issued the document. A few signatures and you are again able to withdraw. Often you have to wait for the card to be sent to the branch or at home. However, they can give you replacement cards that allow you to avoid the inconvenience of not being able to withdraw.

Redo the identity card: what it takes

To get your identity card back you can go to the registry office with 3 passport photos, a report of theft or loss, another valid document. Otherwise, you can bring two witnesses with IDs. You have to pay a stamp, waiting times are minimal.

How to redo the health card

In these cases, a lot depends on the region of belonging, so it is better to solve it by going to the nearest ASL office. For all other documents issued by Public Administrations, it is always advisable to go to the offices that made the issue.

Driving license and car insurance

To redo your car license, you can contact, with 2 passport photos and a valid identity document, at car practice agencies, Carabinieri, Motorizzazione Civile, or Act to request a duplicate. At this point, the new driving license will arrive at home. To retrieve the SUN COAST insurance documents you can contact the offices of the branch that issued the car liability file.

Think about good insurance

For older people, the risk of losing their documents or being stolen is even more evident. The muggings in the street and the robberies at home are a clear problem, and the fright is added to the economic loss. And the stress of having to redo the identity card. Or maybe your health card. How to solve this if you add to all this the absence of relatives and friends?

In many cases, insurance that protects against such problems can be useful. For example, it protects you in case of home scams, bag-snatching, and loss of documents. Providing support to solve the various bureaucratic steps, often long and complex. Without forgetting the additional services, such as chauffeur and lock replacement in the event of home theft.