So sorry to hear that! And thanks for the warning. I sometimes leave my purse in my car, usually (but not always) covered with something. I'll be more careful.

Did you lose your driver's license, too? Hope not.

Oh, that is terrible, but thank you for the warning....one always thinks that if the car is locked, it's safe.

I had my bags, clothes, makeup and cameras ripped off once too...I know how you feel. I never leave anything that means anything to me in the car now. It's a terrible feeling. So sorry this happened to you.

A friend was taking her dog to the park and she locked her purse in the trunk. When she got back, the trunk lock was drilled open and her purse stolen.
With all the hassles of getting all her id and credit cards replaced she said that she'll never take her purse to take the dog again. Even if it means getting a charge with driving without her license if need be.

My daughter had her wallet stolen in Italy. It was a nightmare. Now she is super careful.

If you plan to leave your purse in the trunk at your destination, put it in the trunk at home, or where ever you start your trip.

Cause people watch people at malls and places, and can see you putting your purse in the trunk and leave.

That is just as much an invitation for stealing to them, as if you leave it on your seat.

I hope, you report your drivers license as stolen (if it was in your purse), when you apply for a new one. Get a new number for it!

Moni

My car was broken into one time ... broad daylight, I was at an African Violet show and had left my purse on the floor in the back seat. Black purse, tinted windows, charcoal carpeting ... I didn't think it'd be visible.

Hubby and I were inside less than 30 minutes, and this was a *very* public place on a Saturday morning! LOTS of people around.

Thieves used a drill to drill out the lock on the driver's side door. Police said it probably took them less than a minute to drill out the lock, get into the car and take my purse. They must've seen us arrive and put the purse in the back seat.

I rarely take my purse anywhere except work, now. If I can't stuff what I need in my jeans pockets, I don't need it.

I am sorry that happened to you. If I am going to walk Jake around a lake or park, I just bring my wallet and stash it under the seat while I am still at home.

Oh, man. That is so disheartening, Gramzee. I must confess that I am guilty of doing that all the time around here. Our crime stats are so low that I am lulled into a false of security. I usually throw something over it, but even then it's obvious that the jacket is over a purse. I will be more careful from now on.

I'm so sorry about your bag. What a pain and so maddening. I wonder if it was someone who works where you do, is it a company parking lot? Any video security that might have caught it on tape? Good luck, maybe you'll get some of it back if someone finds the abandoned bag in the trash somewhere.

Its not glamorous and my clothes get wrinkled but I wear a "fanny pack". Started 6 years ago after having knee replacements (3 months apart). I couldn't handle a cane and my pocketbook, before replacements had a tote bag on my walker, I'm so happy I don't need the cane now, but still like the fanny pack. Have worn out many FP's and can only get them in navy or black in my "size", but they do make life easy for me, the one I wear hold lots of "stuff".

Sue

I am so sorry this happened to you and I definitely agree that with the current economic situation, we will be experiencing increased crime - especially theft.
I live in what I consider to be a safe place, but it IS a city. What kills me is reading things on the central neighborhoods listserve like this: Our car got broken into overnight and they stole our ipod, GPS, laptop and sunglasses. This is the second time it has happened."
We are not talking running in for 10 minutes - we are talking "overnight" and "second time it happened" - I'm sure if that stupidity continues there will eb a third time and so on.
Your post is a good reminder that apparently even 10 minutes is long enough for thieves to take advantage.

My Daughter purchased all her necessary College Books ($500.00) worth and left them in her car during Class. All the books were stolen. The Theves cashed them in at the Bookstore and she had to repurchase the books.

So, watch out College Students.

Gayle

Deb, I know what that is like to have someone steal your pocketbook. Not only the loss of $$ but the hassle to get things straightened out. In my case it was not the pocket book, just the wallet that they took out of my pocketbook. I was with friends at the beach and they thought the car was locked. It wasn't.

Like seashell Sue, I now only use a fanny pack, and have for so long I can't even remember. I still see women shopping and leaving their pocketbook in the cart. I don't understand that.

SSSue, where do you find good fanny packs? I need a new one. Mine is black leather and is so old it is turning "grey" and is coming unstitched at one of the zippers.

Sue

I got my FP at Totes. Their's are pretty well made.

Oh that's terrible! Such a sense of violation. I used to leave my purse in the car and just put my license and credit card in my pocket when I'd go shopping. Then I sat down and bent my card where it wouldn't "swipe" through the machine so now I carry a very cute cell phone purse (made by our very own Flamingo) and it holds my cell phone, money, cards and even a lipstick. It has a long handle so I can wear it cross ways across my body. Much more light and comfortable than a fanny pack and did I mention it's cute? :-) Anyway, hope they find some of your stuff. They probably dumped the purse somewhere and just kept the money and cards. I hate thieves.

Oh gosh Deb!! How awful. I am sorry it happened to you!
Like many others I have locked my purse in a vehicle, but I guess that isn't enough.
Did they have cameras outside or anything that might help at least catch the theives?

Sorry to hear about your stolen pocketbook. Another word of warning is not to leave your pocketbook on the passenger seat when you pump gas. Thieves have been known to come by and open the door or reach in through a down window, and grab it, without you knowing.

Now, when I pump gas, I always move my pocketbook onto the driver's side floor.

I hope everything works out for you, Deb.

I'm sorry that happened to you also.I almost never carry a purse.I make my own wallets out of cotton and they stay very secure in my pants pocket.I don't wear pants unless they have pockets.If i do need a purse i have a very light weight one that i also can wear across my body.
Kathi

If there are any Samonsite outlet stores around they have a good selection of totes. I love mine that I take to the casino as it is light, and has several zippered pockets and made for canvas. So check around for luggage/wallet stores. The dept stores also have small wallet type purses with long over the shoulder straps. I think places like Target and KMart also carry these.

Good advice. I went to my gym for a work out and left my purse locked in my car. I came out to find my purse moved from one spot to another and all my credit cards and ID gone. The thief thought I might not notice. Luckily I did but it was a lot of paperwork to report every single card, go over the bills, deny the fraudulent charges and get my accounts squared away. That was last October and I still haven't straightened out my American Express charges!