to be a little bit scared

[Lois345]

DH got his bag stolen with house keys, phone, credit cards, drivers license - everything. We have cancelled the cards and locked the phone (will do a remote erase this evening), but I am a little scared of someone out there with ill intentions having our house keys and address (on DH's drivers license). Would you change your lock? And what are the chances of identity theft/ fraud. How easy is it and can we do anything to prevent it? I know chances for DH's bag having been stolen by a criminal mastermind are slim, but your thoughts and suggestions are very much appreciated

I'd change the locks, even if it's just for your peace of mind and you can afford it!

Definitely change the locks.

It is highly likely your house insurers will pay for all the locks to be replaced and in fact might insist they are. Do check.

No question,change the locks as soon as.

I would change the locks for sure. Even if I'd just lost the keys. Its not too big a job, you can buy a new lock on amazon and fit it yourself fairly easily.

Definitely change the locks. You won’t be able to relax unless you do (that’s advice, not a threat!).

They have your keys and address. I mean honestly if they're willing to steal a bag I'm not sure they have enough morality to then not rob your house.....

Thanks everyone. We will definitely change the locks! What about the other stuff? Identity theft/ fraud etc. Do you think this is something we should be thinking about? Police weren't terribly helpful so advice very much appreciated

Look into getting Cifas Protective Registration which will alert companies that you are at risk of being a victim of fraud should a credit check be done.

Sign up to Experian for a free trial and they will upload it for free for your husband. He can also keep an eye on his report if you’re worried about identity fraud.

Absolutely change the locks. You can do it yourself.

@Sightforsoreeyez Thank you!

Identity he can keep an eye on credit report and pay for CIFAS

This is free www.creditkarma.co.uk/

[quote Lois345]@Sightforsoreeyez Thank you![/quote]
If he doesn’t want to continue to pay for a membership after the 14 days then he can sign up to Credit Club where he can view his Experian report for free once a month.

ClearScore and Noddle are also free.

I had my handbag snatched a few years ago, was very scary and resulted in me being unable to go on our family holiday a few days later as it had my passport in! 😱
I had been to collect foreign currency and the police thought I'd been followed afterwards.
Everything went - Chanel bag and wallet, cash, foreign currency, credit cards, phone, the lot.
It never occurred to me to change our locks and if it makes you feel any better, we had no issues with identity theft or property issues thankfully.
The only one happy with what happened was our elderly dog, who loved the 1-1 attention instead of going to kennels!

And yes, same - the police were spectacularly unhelpful with me too! Got nothing back, but probably because they did absolutely nothing except give me a crime number.
It was caught on supermarket CCTV as wel (where I'd parked.) So they had great leads and visuals. Did nothing about it!

@Eaumyword I am so sorry that happened to you. Perhaps we are just being paranoid, but better safe than sorry, I guess.

What a pain. Definitely change your locks.

Its your insurance company that should be more helpful than the police- the job of police is to protect life and property but it doesn't go any further than that, they wouldn't know much useful advice.

It's very easy to change a lock.
If you can build ikea furniture you can do it.
You'll need a screwdriver but otherwise it's very simple. I was going to explain step by step but you might have upvc doors. I hear upvc doors are even easier to change the lock. The middle bit pops out and you get a new one and pop it back in. All available online for home delivery.
In meantime do you have a door bolt /deadlock?

If it's a wooden door:
Take off one handle usually the one inside the house.
There will be a metal pole. Pull this out. Try not to lose it. :)
From side of door, unscrew the 2 or 4 screws. Lock will easily pull out of its wooden home.
Replace with new. If you dont know which to buy a good trick is to take it out look at the number or just the shape and buy one like it. Doesn't need to be exactly the same. They cost about £7. Some are up to £15.
Screw new one in. Replace pole. Replace handle.
5 mins work if you've bought the lock.

There are lots of you tube videos too, on this.

I really should become a trade woman. I firmly believe that the reason locksmiths faff and take an hour is to justify their ridiculous charge. Ditto all tradesmen.

[quote Lois345]@Eaumyword I am so sorry that happened to you. Perhaps we are just being paranoid, but better safe than sorry, I guess.[/quote]
Thank you so much! Yes, it was a low point and I agree you should do whatever you need to do to make yourselves feel safe - it hadn't even occurred to us, the panic was more about cancelling the passport, trying to get a new one and realising it couldn't be done in time
I would like to think the police role is also to catch criminals...wasn't in my case, despite the CCTV evidence.
Sorry you had this happen to you too @Lois345, hope it all works out ok for you x

@Crystal90567 Lol you should def. be a tradeswoman or a developmental coach! I now believe that I can change our lock! Thank you