his item falls under the category of advice more than inspiration, but let's face it - your inspiration certainly is damaged when your wallet, purse or briefcase is stolen. And considering how much time ISOs spend in public, the odds are that you or someone you know will be affected by this problem.

Here are the first things you should do if it happens to you:

Cancel credit cards: Keep the issuers' toll-free numbers and each card number in a different place than your wallet or briefcase. Are they easily accessible? Make sure, because you don't need the added stress of searching for those numbers. And don't forget the DMV.

Call a cop: File a police report in the appropriate jurisdiction immediately. This shows due diligence to your creditors and any other provider who will be affected by the theft.

Save your credit: Call the top national credit reporting organizations immediately and put a fraud alert on your name and social security number. Thereafter, any company checking your credit is aware your information was stolen. They are required to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. Should the thieves try to establish credit using your identity, they won't get very far.