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By Abby Zieverink
keep it on you

Grande Prairie RCMP see increase of stolen, lost wallets in August

Sep 9, 2021 | 12:00 PM

The Grande Prairie RCMP are urging residents to keep a close watch on their wallets and purses after reports regarding stolen and lost wallets in August more than doubled year-over-year.

Sgt. Shawn Graham with the Grande Prairie RCMP says roughly 32 wallets were reported missing or stolen to police this past August, compared to August 2020, where only 13 were reported.

“What I think that is, is that people are out a lot more than they were last August, so they’re out at businesses and various places and thus the increase.”

Graham says some reports were of wallets lost in stores, parking lots, and other various places.

“Sometimes, if we’re putting something down because we’re doing something else, we might end up forgetting we put them down,” explains Graham.

While other reports, he says, were wallets stolen from vehicles.

“So, they’re left in a vehicle, someone sees a crime of opportunity and takes the wallet from the vehicle.”

Graham stresses the importance of carrying your wallet or purse wherever you go and not leaving it unattended.

“Just remembering to keep their valuables locked up, and if it’s in your vehicle, lock their vehicle and reminding themselves to keep it (wallet) with them if they’re going places.”

Although Graham says if your wallet does go missing or is stolen, reporting it to the police is also a key step to help recover it.

“Contacting the police to report the loss or theft of the wallet is important so that should your identification be used, you may get notification from the bank that people are trying to use it,” explains Graham.

“We can become aware of that too and investigate if someone has stolen your wallet and is trying to use your cards or identity as an identity theft.”

In addition to contacting the police, Graham stresses the importance of notifying the bank regarding missing or stolen credit and debit cards and calling institutions of the loss related to the cards in the wallet, such as a healthcare card.

by Abby Zieverink