Identity Theft Prevention & Recovery: Smart Systems to Protect Yourself
Have you ever felt like life was finally on track, only to have it completely derailed? That’s exactly what happened to me when my wallet was stolen.
Identity theft is no joke. It triggered a domino effect of chaos, followed by a series of other unfortunate events.
As a professional organizer, I hear this all the time: “I used to be so organized… until X happened.” That “X” could be anything—a major life event, a job change, or, in my case, identity theft.
This is what we call Situational Disorganization—when unexpected life events throw us off course. Thankfully, I had systems in place that helped me recover, and today, I’m sharing what worked, what I learned, and how you can protect yourself too.
How I Became a Victim of Identity Theft (And What You Can Learn From It)
Even as I write this, the guilt starts to creep in.
I was at HomeGoods shopping for a client, reviewing dimensions, and admiring all the eye-catching finds. My cart was left unattended—purse sitting right in it—while I stepped aside to avoid blocking the narrow aisles.
How could I be so trusting?…..
I acknowledge that I have never been hurt this way. Nobody has ever stolen from me. I am grateful that I had been shielded from an experience like this before.
And now I am much stronger from it.
As the police said: “Nobody goes out expecting to be a victim”. So I give myself grace so that I can move forward.
That’s when a man approached me, asking for help picking a hamper “for a girl.”
Something felt off. Why not say “for my wife” or “for my girlfriend”?
I asked, “Is this for your wife or girlfriend?” He hesitated, searched for an answer, then said, “Oh, my girlfriend.”
I should have trusted my gut. Instead, I stayed engaged in conversation.
He then points to a basket at the far end of the aisle.
Later, I learned from the police that while I was distracted, his accomplice swiped my wallet.
I remember as soon as he got the basket in his cart he ran off. But, at this point – I thought nothing of it.
Hard Lessons Learned: What I’d Do Differently Next Time
Lesson #1: Always Secure Your Belongings—Thieves Are Watching
🚨 Prevention Tip: Never leave your purse unattended. Be aware of your surroundings. It’s not about trust—it’s about safety.
I didn’t realize my wallet was gone until I reached the register. At first, I thought I had left it at home. But as soon as I got back, my phone was flooded with fraud alerts from my credit cards.
The thieves failed at using my credit cards but successfully drained my debit cards. My whole life was in that wallet.
The aftermath? Panic. Betrayal. Anger. And an instant fight-or-flight response.
My husband tried to calm me as anxiety filled my legs.
I had to snap out of it.
My fight or flight instincts kicked in and I began to respond to the credit cards that had sent me notifications.
Lesson #2 Keep Emergency Cash in a Safe Place
I had to close all my bank accounts and start over. My funds were locked since the bank had to do their investigation before crediting back the funds that were stolen from my account.
I had no debit cards, checks, cash, or credit cards. I was left inoperable, struggling to feed my family for a week. Not fun.
➡️ Takeaway: Keep some emergency cash stored securely at home.
Lesson #3 Get Identity Theft Protection
Identity theft isn’t just about money—it can take months or years to fix fraudulent activity on your credit report. Having a protection plan can save you hours of frustration and financial losses.
➡️ Consider signing up for identity theft protection with services like LifeLock or Identity Guard.
Lesson #4 Keep a Recovery Checklist in Your Safe Box
When your identity is stolen, you’ll be dealing with banks, credit bureaus, and multiple agencies all at once. I found it daunting to try and keep all the pieces of information together.
So, I created a free printable checklist to help you track everything in one place. Make sure and keep it in your safety box in the event you need to act fast.
➡️ Download Your Free Identity Theft Recovery Checklist Here!
Lesson #5 Invest in a More Secure Purse
I realized I had a habit of putting my purse in the cart because of an uncomfortable strap. That simple habit made me an easy target.
I switched to a backpack-style purse that’s secure and comfortable. (Here’s the exact one I bought!)
The Key Systems That Helped Me Recover Fast
On the plus side. I did have a few systems in place that helped me recover fast.
1. Bill Payment Tracker I’ve been paperless for years, but I keep a one-page bill tracker that lists all my monthly expenses. This saved me from scrambling, allowing me to quickly notify creditors and avoid missed payments or late fees.
➡️ Pro Tip: If you don’t have a bill tracker, start using one today. (I created a free printable to help—download it below!)
2. Password Manager (LastPass) Since I didn’t have my credit cards physically, I had to retrieve my account details online.
Thanks to LastPass Password Manager, I didn’t have to manually enter login details while panicking. I simply entered my master password, and it logged me in instantly.
➡️ Pro Tip: If you don’t use a password manager yet, I highly recommend it! Try LastPass for free here.
Why Organization is Your Best Defense Against Life’s Chaos
Whether it’s identity theft, an emergency, or unexpected chaos, having organization systems in place helps you navigate crises with less stress.
✔️ Breathe. ✔️ Rest. ✔️ Pull back on commitments if needed. ✔️ And most importantly—give yourself grace.
You’re doing the best you can, and sometimes, that’s all we can do.
Have You Ever Experienced Identity Theft?
If so, what lessons did you learn? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your story.
7 Comments
Yes, I’m sorry to say my family has been impacted. It turned out to be through a rental property where we were temporarily living during a renovation. Someone in the office of the rental was responsible.
It was a part time job for a year to get it all straightened out. So scary, and so disruptive. This is all wonderful advice.
And just to reiterate, nothing is ever the victim’s fault.
Oh, Seana, Im sorry that happened to you too. It’s so unfortunate to be taken advantage of our trust. Thankfully you were able to get it straightened out. I know when you’re going through it, it feels like a never ending nightmare. For me, writing about it gave me a sense of power as it gave me closure and the ability to empower others. Thanks for sharing!
Great advice! I bet that recovery list is worth its weight in gold (and time, which is more precious than gold)!
It amazes me how often people will worry about hacking and online security (to the point that they think not having access to their bank accounts online is somehow protecting their accounts from *being* online) and yet they’ll leave their purses (or their babies!) in carts and walk to the next aisle, or leave their purses unzipped and open on the backs of their chairs in restaurants or over their shoulder with the purse behind them.
When I shop in the winter, I put my purse strap on my shoulder than then put my coat back on, safeguarding my belongings while making them easier to access. In warmer weather, I still wear my cross-body purse, and keep the zipper compartment turned toward my body, making it harder to access.
Hi Julie! Yes, thank you for your comment about the printable. I put alot of effort into it. I know it will help others.
In terms of safeguarding our belongings your suggestions are appreciated. I know alot of habits can be unconscious. I don’t think people ever think they can get their purses stolen if left unattended. I grew up in a small town in Santa Barbara where my mom could leave her car door open and everything would still be there. Its definitely different times we’re living in and it’s important we empower each other to take care of ourselves. It’s the good guys against the bandidos.
I’m sorry this happened to you, Elva. Thank you for sharing the lessons you learned and for all the great advice.
That checklist is terrific! I’ve got some work to do to be better prepared in case something like this happens.
You’re most welcome Linda! Anything I can do to help the good guy be one step ahead of the bad guy. Praying you never need it.