Lost and Found

This is a common tale but true.

There was a brief moment of panic and disbelief when I found no wallet in the familiar back pocket. (Most men habitually check their pockets. They pat for the keys, cell phone, wallet, or what-not with a routine.) A search yielded nothing. I approached the United Airline counter for help. This nice Japanese woman immediately went to the plane. Fifteen minutes later, she came back empty-handed. I went back waiting for my connecting flight, powerless and frustrated in Narita Airport.

Five hours later, I arrived Taipei with no money or credit what-so-ever. I considered my options:

  • I could call the credit card company and asked for emergency cash.
  • Maybe the hotel concierge will lend me some?
  • Do I know anyone in this city to borrow from?
  • Would someone from US wire me money at this hour?
  • Would my bank wire me some money?

In Taipei hotel room, I made a list of its contents: driver license, credit cards, insurance card, etc. Jet-lagged and sleep deprived, I started the tedious process of finding the phone numbers and reporting the lost. I stopped after three cards and went to sleep, depressed.

Losing several hundred dollars was the least of my concerns. I actually did not even know how many credit cards and debit cards were there. Although I am reasonably protected, canceling each of them will not be fun. I also needed to get a new driver’s license and other IDs. Worst, I faced the risk of becoming the next victim of identify theft. That experience can be hell and damages take years to repair.

Next day, I got this email message from my admin, “Someone called and claimed that he has your wallet. I think it is a fraud, but would check with you anyway. Did you lose it?” “Oh, YES!”

It turned out an Diana DeGette, US congress woman, found it in the seat pocket on her way from D.C. to Denver. She gave the wallet to a Tommy Walker, her assistant, who sent me back the wallet, well packed and with everything intact.

Yay. Happy ending. Next time, I will carry a spare credit card separately.

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