RALEIGH -- Knowledge is power. And, that's especially true is your wallet is lost or stolen.

Nyma Burns, an outreach officer with the North Carolina Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Division says  that's why is important to keep a record of your credit and debit card numbers as well as the phone numbers of banks and credit card companies.

"People need to make a copy of the front and back of their card and [some people ask], 'Do I really need to make a copy of the front and the back?' ...you want to be in a position where you can get home immediately and either put these cards on hold or cut them off."

She says the average consumer carries eight credit cards.