These days, it's critical to protect your identity, both offline and online. It entails creating secure passwords for your internet accounts and being aware of what belongs in your wallet and what should be kept at home. Discover what you should never carry in your wallet by reading on.
Card for Social Security
Keeping your Social Security card or number inside your wallet is strictly prohibited. The president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, Eva Velasquez, claims that Social Security cards and the number on them are among the most important pieces of information that thieves can obtain. "They can easily use it to file taxes on your behalf, establish a credit line in your name, get medical care, or even use your information to commit crimes." Notify the Social Security Administration right away if your wallet containing your SSN is taken.
Medicare ID
Your Social Security number may appear on a Medicare card, which is an even more frequent offender, even if you aren't carrying your actual Social Security card. The old Medicare numbers are your Social Security number plus one or two additional letters and digits; they are easy to decipher and are good until January 2020. Only carry your card when you have a doctor's appointment; on other days, create a Xerox copy of it, erase all but one or two numbers, and write the [phone] number of an emergency contact on the back to prevent giving out one of the most important numbers a hacker may steal, the man advises. In this manner, in the event of an emergency, rescuers will still be able to obtain the information they require.
Receipts
A bank or retail receipt doesn't appear to contain much information. However, a cunning criminal may exploit those details to take your money more successfully. Or, using an email posing as your preferred eatery, a phisher could infect your computer with malware when you click on a link. "Shred it instead of throwing it away if I don't need it." Request an email copy of your receipts after every transaction rather than shoving them in your wallet. You may also scan and digitally save paper receipts with applications like Shoeboxed.
Cards of membership
Well done if you develop a routine of frequenting the gym or saving money at Costco! The caveat, though, is that you shouldn't carry your membership cards in your wallet. Your wallet may be stolen, and the burglar could use those cards to enter the superstore and the gym. That would mean you would need to replace every card. It's safer to keep those cards in your car.
Gift cards
Gift cards are like currency in that if you lose them, there's no way to get your money back. "This is money. Not even an ID is required in order to use them. You wouldn't risk losing a large stack of gift vouchers any more than you would carry around hundreds of dollars in cash.
A number of credit cards
You have credit cards for your preferred department store, airline miles, hotel points, and a host of additional uses. But in order to prevent identity theft, we advise limiting the number of cards to two or three. Having a million cards isn't the best idea. Spreading your points across multiple cards won't result in any useful accumulation, to start with. But is there an even greater risk? We advise only carrying one credit card and one debit card, leaving the other cards at home. The more cards you have in your wallet, the more harm a thief may accomplish quickly.
Your ID at work
If you can access the office by swiping in with your work ID, particularly at odd hours of the night, then losing your wallet could put your company in danger. Granting a thief entry to the building could result in consequences for both you and your company. We suggest keeping a separate wallet for weekends and your workdays. For this reason, American Express is not accepted at numerous stores.
Passwords:
A recent survey found that over 67% of respondents write down their passwords on paper. However, carrying a running list of your PINs, passwords, and alarm codes in your wallet is a surefire way to get into trouble. We advise utilizing a password manager on your computer or phone. Your passwords are all stored by the program, saving you the trouble of remembering them all and allowing you to create unique, complex passwords for each account.
Extra keys
Carrying extra house keys in your wallet invites burglars into your house, so avoid doing it, advise experts. The thieves will have instant access to everything in your home if they can just locate your address on your driver's license. Instead, we advise leaving extra keys with a friend or relative.
Too much cash
Rolling with a big wad of cash in your wallet could make you a tempting target for thieves. Instead, consider keeping a slim stash of five and ten-dollar bills for emergencies only. If your cash-filled wallet is stolen or lost, you should file a police report ASAP. “You may never get your wallet back, but filing the reports helps to document that the theft occurred and can be useful in proving that you were a victim of fraud if your credit card or other documents were used for fraud or identity theft purposes.
Passport
Unless you are crossing national borders, your passport should stay in a safe deposit box or another secure place. And even when you travel abroad, it’s good practice to make a copy of your passport and leave the real one locked in the hotel safe, identity theft experts say. Criminals can use a stolen passport to travel in your name, get a new copy of your Social Security card, or open bank accounts.
Birth certificate
The guidelines that apply to your passport ought to also apply to your birth certificate. Keep it in a safe deposit box and only remove it when necessary, such as when applying for a new driver's license or closing a mortgage. Weisman advises taking extra security measures by photocopying everything in your wallet in advance so you can identify the precise items that were taken.
Overall, take some tips and travel safely.
This article was written by Michael R. Grigsby, one of the news editors for LCTI, LLC. Michael is passionate about the outdoors, photography, strength sports, and powerlifting, and he is dedicated to bringing you accurate and insightful news reports on a wide range of topics. He loves connecting with readers and is always happy to answer any questions you may have. If you have any questions about this news article, please feel free to contact Michael at lctillc@outlook.com or by leaving a comment below.
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