It takes just one unguarded moment for a thief to pick your pocket but it can take weeks to untangle your way out of a mass of government and credit application files in a bid to reclaim everything that's been lost.

Here are some tips on how to successfully navigate the crisis and emerge with your personal information intact and the contents of your wallet restored.

Carry only what you need in your wallet. If you're not likely to use more than one credit card, leave the others at home.

1. File a police report

As soon as you realize your wallet has been stolen, call local police and file a report. Ask the police for an occurrence number or a file number in case you have followup questions. Also, some financial institutions or government agencies may ask for a police report number before they agree to issue a new card or piece of identification.

2. Cancel your bank and credit cards

Telephone your bank and credit-card companies and cancel your cards immediately. When your cards have been stolen, the faster you respond, the better. Think back to the last transaction you made on each card and give this information to the customer service representative. Be sure to check your billing statements at the end of the month for any purchases you did not authorize. Ask for a replacement card to be issued and keep in mind that any automated bill payments will have to be reset with your new credit card number.

3. Retrace your steps

Think back to the last time you had your wallet. Retrace your steps and revisit places where you may have dropped or left your wallet. Scour change rooms and washrooms and other public areas. If you've spent the morning shopping, be sure to ask store clerks if anyone has turned in your wallet. Pay a visit to the nearest lost and found and leave your name and number in case your wallet is turned in later in the day.

4. Make a list

Make a list of all the pieces of identification you carried in your wallet. Ideally, you should only be carrying what you need — some cash, debit cards, credit cards, your driver's licence and your health card. But if you had a fully packed wallet, here's a checklist to get you started:

• Credit cards.
• Birth certificate.
• Health card.
• Passport.
• Canadian citizenship card.
• Immigration record of landing.
• Status card.
• Permanent resident card.
• Social insurance number.
• Old age security card.
• Firearms licence.
• Private health insurance card.
• Hunting and fishing licence.

5. Organize your applications

As soon as you begin filling out application forms, you'll realize you need to develop a game plan. Almost all government applications require some form of official identification and some will ask for certification from a guarantor. If you've lost your birth certificate, you may want to start with this application, given that other applications may ask for ID showing your date of birth. For supplementary proof of identification, pull out marriage certificates, adoption papers, divorce decrees, or legal change of name documents.

6. Draw up a master contact list

Write up a list with phone numbers of credit card companies, banks and government agencies on a grid with spaces for two check marks — one for when you've submitted your application and another for when you've received the replacement. Keep this list as a reference should you lose your wallet again.

7. Be a prepared jet-setter

Bring a copy of your master list with you when you're travelling so you'll have all the contact numbers at your fingertips should you need them. Update the list with the address and phone number of the nearest consulate. Also, in the event you that you lose your wallet, bring an extra supply of cash and store it in your hotel safe to tide you over until your replacement credit cards are delivered.

If your credit card has been stolen, be sure to check your billing statements at the end of the month for purchases you did not authorize.

8. Photocopy your passport

Before you leave for a trip, take two photocopies of the second page of your passport. Bring one with you and leave one at home with a trusted family member. Should you lose your ID, Passport Canada will be able to trace your passport with the photocopied barcode information. Only carry your passport with you when necessary and store your photocopied documents in a secure place at your hotel. If you do lose your passport, contact local police and Passport Canada immediately. If you are travelling within Canada or the U.S., call 1-800-567-6868. From all other countries, call (819) 997-8338. If you are travelling abroad, you can apply for a replacement passport at the nearest Canadian government office.

9. Register your numbers

Links

• Identity theft
• Service Canada: Lost wallet
• Passport Canada: Lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible passport

Depending on how comfortable you are with sharing your personal information, you may want to consider an ID protection service offered by some credit card companies. When registering for these services, consumers provide their credit card and bank card numbers, passport and birth certificate information, details about insurance policies, licences and more. If your wallet is stolen, the credit card company will block cards from further use and request replacement cards.

10. Don't carry more than you need

Put only what you need in your wallet. If you're not likely to use more than one credit card, leave the others at home. Never carry your SIN card with you and only bring your birth certificate if you're travelling without a passport. Also, don't carry a PIN or password crib sheet in your wallet. Choose a meaningful but cryptic password or PIN and change it often.

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