Identity theft: What not to carry in your wallet

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Identity and financial theft is a problem that has increased over time and become a prominent issue in modern society. As the world goes digital, there are numerous ways that hackers attempt to try and gain personal information.

However, the old-fashioned methods of theft should not be discounted. Criminals are very eager to gain information through stolen wallets, purses, stealing mail or even dumpster diving. That being said, you should always be careful of what items you carry in your wallet (or purse).
Items you should avoid carrying and instead keep tucked away in a safe place include:

Social Security Card/Social Insurance Number

Perhaps the most valuable piece of information thieves seek in the United States is a Social Security card; in Canada, documentation of a Social Insurance Number. These items should be carefully guarded. Thieves can use these numbers in many ways, including opening new bank accounts, applying for lines of credit and a host of other nefarious purposes. Never carry documentation with this number in your wallet, instead, make an effort to memorize it and then keep it locked up someplace safe at home.

Checkbook

In days gone by it was common for consumers to whip out their checkbooks when making purchases. That has now changed as concerns about theft rise. Checks contain a lot of valuable information that criminals would love to have, including full names, addresses, and especially bank account and routing numbers. Also, if stolen, a thief can write a host of checks by forging your name and emptying your bank account and/or leaving you with a lot of bank fees.

In addition, typically, businesses who accept checks want personal information in the notes which thieves can be. It is best to only write checks when necessary and to not carry the checkbook when you are out and about. If you must write a check, only bring the number of checks you’ll actually need.

Passport

Official passports issued by the government are also an item coveted by identity thieves.

“Thieves would love to get (ahold of) this [passorts],” says Nikki Junker, a victim adviser at the Identity Theft Resource Center, according to Kiplinger. “You could use it for anything.”

Possible uses include traveling under the victim’s name, opening bank accounts or getting copies of other important documents, such as a Social Security card or driver’s license.
List of Passwords/PINs

Passwords and PINs are the keys needed to access digital property. If you have a list that contains passwords in your wallet, and a thief gets a hold of it, the criminal can use this information to pilfer your digital assets and steal additional personal information that can be used for malicious intentions.

Medicare, Medicaid or Health ID cards

Another item you should be cautious about carrying is Medicare or health insurance cards that have SSN information on it. Kiplinger recommends you instead photocopy your original card and black out the SSN on it. Most health insurance companies now issue automated ID numbers, but if your card has your SSN on it, be careful.

Other items you should not tuck away in your wallet are extra credit cards, spare house keys and birth certificates. If you carry a military ID, be careful with it too. Additionally, check for any other documentation that may have government issued numbers (SSN or SIN) on them and remove these from your wallet as well.

Additionally, do not keep receipts from banks and merchants in your wallet. Instead, lock these up or shred them after they are no longer needed. Even though limited information is on these, there are strings of numbers and other identifiers that savvy thieves could use for financial or identity theft, especially if paired up with other data they’ve collected.

To ensure keeping your personal data out of the hands of criminals, it is a good idea to check through your wallet on a routine basis and remove any items that are not immediately needed.