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There were at least three reported purse snatchings in Sherman on Sunday. One of them was mine. Like many women, I carried my life around in my purse under the guise that I never knew when I might need something. Now someone else has it all – my new cell phone, bank checks, credit cards, cash, drivers license, house and car keys.
Lessons #1: You’ve heard it before but thought it wasn’t really that important in the daylight in safe public places. Think again. Keep your purse close to your body at all times. Mine was taken from a grocery cart in the instant it took me to decide between mince and pumpkin. Some women have told me they belt their purses into the cart using the child safety strap. They keep the opening tightly closed. Some never take both hands off at the same time. I, on the other hand, liked my purse easily accessible so I could answer my cell or grab a pen. Never again.
Lesson #2: Don’t carry anything other than what you need for the moment. It will take some getting used to. Everything that made my life easier and more convenient does the same thing for the crooks. At my expense.
Lesson #3: Skip the cutesy, fashionable purse (you should have seen mine – a denim tote with a toile band and a fringe of beads!) and look for durable and secure. Zippers, I’ve been told in the last few hours, are your best option. Whatever you have – Velcro, a snap, a button – keep it fastened.
Lesson #4: We’ve all been told the rules to follow “in case we’re in an accident.” In that unlikely event, the ambulance driver can most likely get what she needs from your drivers license. Keep the social security card and other personal data somewhere else.
Lesson #5: Wear your jewelry or put it in the case at home. No point in helping accessorize a burglar.
Lesson #6: Don’t carry both sets of car keys in your purse. If you’re lucky enough to still have a car when you get your wits about you, it won’t do you much good if every set of keys is held hostage, traveling with your purse to unknown destinations.
Lesson #7: Stay alert and uncharacteristically suspicious. I’ve spent a sleepless night and considerable daytime hours working to clean up the mess and potential damage done by what must surely have been very normal looking people – the kind of folks you see every day in the grocery store. Not a one with a bandana over the mouth and nose.
Lesson #8: Be sure to keep a file of your credit card numbers and an 800 number where you can reach each company 24 hours a day. Same for the bank. It is tedious to maintain, but comes in handy when you’re panic-stricken and worried about identity theft.
Lesson #9: Quickly report the crime. The police are first, obviously. But then, act to protect yourself by contacting the credit card companies, bank and others and also by putting a fraud alert on your credit monitoring account. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion all offer helpful services via phone or internet.
Lesson #10: Change your locks.
Lesson #11: When you catch your breath, try to make a list of everything that was in your purse. (See how much easier it will be if you don’t carry a bunch of stuff?) The police want to know for their report and you may have homeowner’s insurance that will cover your losses.
Lesson #12: Consider taking out insurance on your cell phone. You’ll replace it at the full retail price, which is considerably more than what you pay when setting up new service.
Lesson #13: Plan ahead. If I had it to do over again, I’d react differently the instant I noticed that the purse was missing. I’d forget the southern lady politeness and yell for help. I’d quickly borrow a stranger’s cell phone and call my own cell phone number, so my purse would jangle the nerves of anyone within ear shot. I’d head for the door and do a quick check of the parking lot. Obviously, nobody wants to jeopardize their own safety or that of anyone else. But after the fact, there’s not much that can be done. I’m told that anything that makes it harder for the thieves to get away easily will increase your chance of recovering merchandise. (I’m not ignoring the most obvious prevention -- my own vigilance prior to the theft.)
It’s 1 things are just things and can be replaced. Once you have done everything you can after an incident of theft, you just have to monitor carefully and move on. Probably not as trusting, comfortable or confident. Certainly more aware of your surroundings.
‘Tis the season, but some people aren’t interested in the giving part. So just be watchful and carry a lighter load. Keeping what’s yours is a kind of gift too.