Most people carry a wallet around and many do not understand how that places them in a vulnerable position. There are some things that are common to find in there, yet they should not be. For future reference, here are 7 items that should never be in your wallet.
- Your Social Security Card
This is one of the worst things to have in your wallet since it opens you up to being a victim of identity theft. Not only should you not carry your government-issued card around, but you should avoid any papers that may have the number listed. Some could use this information to open credit accounts in your name, and once this happens it can be a long, difficult road to get things squared away.
Also, someone can use your social security number to file a tax return on your behalf. This would entitle them to any refund you have coming to you. In other words, leave your number at home in a safe place instead of putting yourself at risk. If your SS card is stolen you can get a replacement card at www.online-application.org.
- Checks
Many people use these for transactions, but that does not mean that they should be hanging out inside your wallet. There is so much information listed on a check, including your full name, address and your account numbers. This information could be used to put your bank account in a compromising position.
This doesn’t only apply to checks that are blank, You should not carry around voided checks or those that are already filled out. They contain the same information as a blank check, so you are not any less vulnerable if this is stolen.
- Lots Of Cash
In a world where most people use plastic to make purchases, there are still some who insist on conducting transactions with cash. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, you should not carry around a small fortune. If you notice bills fall to the floor every time you open your wallet, that is a sign that you are carrying too much money around. Unless you are on your way to make a payment at the given time, you should not have any more than $100 on you.
If you insist on carrying a lot of money, it would be safer to hold it in a deep, inner pocket or someplace safe. Otherwise, you will look like a target when you go make a purchase and someone notices that your wallet is bulging with money.
- Old Receipts
It is a good idea to hold on to your receipts, especially if they are for big-ticket items. You never know when you will need them. With that said, this does not mean that you should carry them around in your wallet. Ideally, they should be home in safe or some other kind of secured place. This may seem like a simple piece of paper, but it is possible for a scammer to use this information to commit some kind of identity theft.
- Original Pictures
Most people have at least one picture in their wallets to commemorate someone that they love. Whether it is a romantic interest, a parent or a child, this is usually a picture that is very close to your heart. Imagine losing your wallet and the picture is lost forever. This could be really devastating, especially if it was the only copy of the photo in existence.
The best way to get around this would be to carry a copy of the photo with you instead of the original. This way you will always have the original, even if your wallet is stolen, lost or misplaced. An even better option would be to upload a copy of the photo in question and use it as the lock screen on your phone. Both of those options are a better alternative than taking a chance that a valuable memory will be lost.
- Business Cards
When you hand someone a copy of your business card, this is a representation of who you are. This is why it is imperative that you do not keep these in your wallet. Identity theft is not the reasoning behind this, especially since your goal is to get your name and business information out there. The reason is because you do not want to hand over a card to a potential business contact and they notice the ends are worn and torn from being crammed into an overly filled wallet.
The best way to get around this would be to buy a metal carry case that was made specifically for business cards. they will stay firm and crisp looking and stop people from getting the wrong impression. If you are worried about carrying this case around, look for one that is really thin so it does not ass any unwanted bulk.
- Spare Keys
This is probably the most frightening item one could ever carry around in their wallet. The thought process behind it is having a key on hand in the event that the other is lost, but this could be a mistake that you end up regretting far into the future. If you were to lose your wallet, not only would someone know where you live based on the information on various cards that may be in your wallet, but they will now have a key to get in. While you can go and get your locks changed as soon as you notice the wallet is missing, there is always a chance that someone may have gained access to your place in the meantime.
Carrying around any of these items in your wallet is essentially asking for trouble. From giving people vital information that can be used to steal your identity to letting go of precious heirlooms, it is best to keep the contents of your wallet as minimal as possible. This will prevent you from dealing with the headache of replacing everything and trying to reclaim your identity or property in the event that it is stolen.
