Lost Your Wallet or Purse While Traveling? Here’s Your Step-By-Step Survival Guide

You’re having the time of your life on a dream vacation when suddenly your stomach drops: your wallet is GONE.

Maybe it fell out of your pocket, maybe someone swiped it…doesn’t matter now. What matters is what you do NEXT.

I’ve been there (a couple of times, actually), and while panicking is a first instinct for many of us, it’s not helpful! Instead, follow this game plan to get back on track fast.

First Hour: Damage Control

Step 1: Stop and Search

Before going into full crisis mode, do a thorough search. Check all of your pockets, other bags, and locations you’ve been recently. Check with the last place you remember having it. Many “stolen” wallets are really sitting in lost-and-found boxes!

And sometimes, it’s precisely where you left it. I forgot my purse in a Manhattan jazz club during a weekend trip and rushed over the next afternoon as soon as they opened, frantically calling on the way to see if anyone had found it. Fortunately, my bag was still under the table where I’d initially stowed it. Super lucky!

Step 2: Cancel Your Cards

Still can’t find it? Time to lock things down. Either do these things next, or move to Step 3, depending on the severity of your situation:

• Call your bank’s emergency number (save this on your phone AND write it down somewhere else).
• Report each credit and debit card as lost or stolen.
• Many banks can rush-deliver replacement cards to your hotel.
• Some banks offer virtual card numbers you can use immediately.

Many banks have app features that let you freeze cards without fully canceling them—super handy if your wallet turns up later!

Step 3: File a Police Report

This step is critical for insurance claims, replacing ID documents, and disputing fraudulent charges. Ask your hotel for directions to the nearest police station or tourist police office.

You might want to call the police before canceling your cards. It depends on your situation.

I got mugged while walking home from a friend’s apartment some years ago (I know, not a travel story), so I knew for sure that my purse was stolen and not lost or misplaced. The guy pushed me to the ground and ran off with my bag. That’s a situation where it’s a good move to call the police first and then notify banks and credit card providers—a police report can go a long way in disputing unauthorized charges.

Again, the order of operations depends on your situation!

Next Few Hours: Practical Survival

Step 4: Get Emergency Cash

If you’ve lost all your cash and cards, you have some options:

• Western Union or MoneyGram transfer from someone back home.
• Cash advance at a bank using your passport and emergency card replacement info.
• Emergency cash services through your credit card company.
• Digital payment apps like Venmo if you have your phone, and it still works, and you have a balance in your account.

If you need to get cash from someone back home, it’s a very helpful idea to set up a spoken passphrase with them in advance so they know it’s actually you requesting money, and not someone pretending to be you. Scammers posing as family members in need of emergency cash (even going so far as to replicate your voice via AI) are extremely common. Don’t share the code with anyone except those who absolutely need it, and don’t write the passcode down or share it anywhere online, even in private chats.

Step 5: Contact Your Embassy (If your passport was stolen)

If you’re traveling internationally and your passport was in your wallet, contact your embassy or consulate ASAP! They can help with:

• Emergency replacement passports (usually ready in 24-48 hours)
• Temporary ID documentation
• General advice for your situation

U.S. citizens can visit the State Department website for emergency contact info for embassies worldwide.

Step 6: Alert Your Hotel

Let your accommodation know what happened. They might be able to allow delayed payment, help with calls to your embassy / banks, and even have protocols for guests in your situation.

Next Few Days: Recovery Mode

Step 7: Replace Essential ID

What to do about:

Driver’s License: Don’t drive without your license. After filing your police report, contact your state’s DMV to request a temporary permit while your license is replaced. In the meantime, take public transit or car services.

Health Insurance Cards: Call your provider for digital copies and emergency treatment authorization.

Transit Passes and Tickets: Most transportation companies can reissue tickets if you have confirmation emails and your passport.

Step 8: Keep Records of Everything

Document all your steps:

• Save copies of police reports.
• Track all calls to financial institutions (date, time, who you spoke with).
• Save receipts for any expenses related to the theft—you might get reimbursed by insurance.
• Take notes about any fraudulent charges.

Preventing Future Disasters

For your next trip, try these wallet security tips:

• Separate your cards. Never keep all payment methods in one place.
• Carry a dummy wallet with expired cards and small cash in obvious pockets.
• Keep digital copies of all important documents in encrypted cloud storage.
• Use RFID-blocking wallets to prevent digital theft.
• Leave one credit card locked in your hotel safe.
• Wear anti-theft bags with slash-proof straps and locking zippers.
• Know your card companies’ emergency phone numbers.

What About Travel Insurance?

Good travel insurance might cover emergency cash advances, costs of replacing documents, fraudulent charges (beyond what your bank covers), and hotel stays if you need to extend your trip to sort out documents.

Check your policy before you need it. Some require police reports within 24 hours of the incident.

Your Post-Crisis Checklist

Once you’re home, follow up with:

• Credit bureaus to place fraud alerts and credit freezes.
• New permanent replacements for temporary documents.
• Insurance claims for any covered expenses.
• Updating payment info for all your subscriptions and autopay bills.

Have you ever lost your wallet while traveling? How did you handle it? Share your stories and tips with the Frayed Passport community!

About the Author

As the editor in chief of Frayed Passport, my goal is to help you build a lifestyle that lets you travel the world whenever you want and however long you want, and not worry about where your next paycheck will come from. I've been to 20+ countries and five continents, lived for years as a full-time digital nomad, and have worked completely remotely since 2015. If you would like to share your story with our community, or partner with Frayed Passport, get in touch with me at sarah@frayedpassport.com!

Featured image by Alexa from Pixabay