Korean Job Discussion Forums

[robyn1882]

Hello, Over the weekend I managed to leave my purse, which contained my wallet, ID, and credit cards in a taxi. I am wondering if anyone on Daves knows who I might contact or if there is a lost and found. Just for the record I lost it in Apgujeong. Has anyone been in this situation before? If so, who did you contact and what did you do?

[kat2]

I have no advice on recovering it, but I hope you have already cancelled those credit cards. If not, i would call immediately!

[vdowd]

HI,

This happened my first year in Korea. Really I think I dropped getting out of the taxi outside of my apartment complex and it was right next to an elementary school, so I thought it was gone forever.

Waited a day hoping I had left it in the taxi and the driver would return it or phone - no luck. Then reported it to the police as lost, hoping it would be turned in - no luck.

My boss suggested I give it a week or so and see if someone would find it and return it. After 10 days I finally decided, I must go to immigration for a new ARC but was really upset because how would I replace the ID, Driver's Licence, etc from Canada.

On my way out of my apartment, I noticed I had a small package in my mailbox - opened it up and there was my wallet with all ID, money mostly gone (only about 30,000) but still about 8,000 Won in a little pocket with change.

I am guessing that there were 2 finders here - the first one took the money, the 2nd one took it to the post office and forwarded it to me. This made my week and I thank the person who took the time to return it.

So maybe give it a few days - on your ARC card it does say to drop it into any mailbox if found.

Victoria

[periwinkle]

Me, too- I received my wallet though the mail (the police called my workplace to verify I still worked there). Everything was still there, but I was minus the cash (80,000 won). I decided to never get that hammered again after that (I've lived up to it, too!~). I'd imagine there are ALOT of wallets left behind in taxis...

[Woland]

[robyn1882]

Thanks for your help. I went to the police station to file a report, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. If anyone has any more suggestions or advice, please let me know.

[kermo]

I am really really good at losing my wallet. I do it so often that sometimes I don't bother to replace my cards, knowing that it's only a matter of time before the wallet is gone again.

This weekend, I caught a bus from Seoul to Yongin. I paid for the ticket (wallet in hand), dashed to the bus which was leaving momentarily, and then rode to Yongin. Upon arrival, I went to the shop for some juice, and found the wallet was missing. I returned to the terminal, searched the bus, but no dice.

Somehow, I lost the wallet in the 20 steps between ticket office and bus. Sadly, no one has returned it to the lost and found at the terminal, so I'm stuck.

Actually since I'm having a bit of a rant, I might mention that my bank (KB) just refused to give me a replacement card, since I don't have my ARC card. I can't afford the trip to Suwon to get one, and I'm not sure how I'm going to eat for the undetermined number of days until they issue the replacement, but I will have to rely on the kindness of strangers.

By the way, does anyone know how long it takes to get a replacement ARC card? Is this one of those things that depends on the mood of the girl at the desk? What's the precedent where your case is concerned?

Sigh, grr, gnash.

[ajstew]

I have no advice about what to do either. I'm just going through the same thing now. Figured I lost my wallet in a taxi too... since it wasn't at the restaurants and singing room I was at that evening (in Gangnam). I usually take out my cards that I don't need before going out, and I did that night as well. Still lost my alien registration card and university id/subway pass and am hoping they'll be mailed too. How difficult can it be to pop the registration card in the mail? It's pretty sad if a person can't do that, but this is Korea and I'm not holding my breath.

[ttompatz]

[kermo]

A letter confirming I'm working at the same place? That could be tricky, since the departmental assistants are probably AWOL until the start of term. Aisshhh.

Thanks though.

[tzechuk]

Kermo, take your bank book to your nearest bank, go to a teller and have them withdraw money for you. You don't need an ARC to do that and if they ask, show them your passport.

In fact, you don't need an ARC to replace your card... just show them a passport.

BTW... no to sound pessimistic - I think you must have been robbed. Exactly the same thing happened to me 2 years ago in Cheonan - I was heavily pregnant with Letty and was dopey (really tired) - got my ticket, had wallet in hand, pretty sure it was in my handbag.. fell asleep on the bus and voila, when I arrived in Daejeon, wallet was gone.

Never got it back. Buses are notorious for thieves...

[kermo]

[kermo]

Let's do some math:

1 moment of carelessness + 1 selfish person =
1.5 days of errands - 20,000 won in fees and fares

I had no problem getting the proof of employment, and took the bus to Suwon to Immigration office. It was almost 2 o'clock. I took a number downstairs. I waited for 15 minutes, but was told to head upstairs instead instead.

The second floor was packed with people, and no one seemed to be manning the desks (extended lunch hour?) I took a number, and saw that there were SEVENTY people ahead of me.

Fortunately, a lot of those people had given up or died of old age, so it took less than two hours. I handed over 10,000 won and an extra picture, and was told to come back ONE WEEK LATER. They also wanted to hang on to my passport, but I sweetly explained the bank debacle, and they made a photocopy. Small blessings.

I've got to learn to consult with a fortune teller before attempting to wrangle any Korean paperwork. I forgot to peer at the chicken entrails or check what was in the House of Venus. Silly silly me.

[Mr. BlackCat]

Hi,

I have very little to offer, but I guess anything helps. I was at a bar one night and started talking with some Korean University kids who kept feeding me vodka as long as I hung out and spoke English with them. Much better than any private you'll do and legal, too!

Anyway, I gave one of them my card and either that night or the next I suppose he lost his wallet in a cab. The company called my work looking for me because my card was the only piece of ID in there. Later, after I explained the situation as I saw it, they asked me his address and name which I didn't have.

So, my longwinded point is that, maybe if you had anyone else's contact info (like a card) in there the company contacted them, especially if they're Korean. Maybe there's some confusion on who's wallet it is or something.

Like I said, this is unlikely to help but 1/10000 is better than nothing, right? I don't know if they ever found that guy who had my card, but if I had his # or email then he would have had it in an hour.

[schwa]