What You Keep in Your Wallet That Invites Trouble

Additional Coverage:

14 Things You Should Never, Ever Carry in Your Wallet (cheapism.com)

Lighten Your Load: What NOT to Carry in Your Wallet

Let’s be real: Few things sting quite like losing your wallet. It’s not just the hassle of replacing a driver’s license; depending on what’s tucked inside, it can range from a minor inconvenience to a full-blown financial disaster.

Want to keep your losses minimal if your billfold ever takes an unexpected detour? We’ve got a list of 14 items you might want to leave out of your everyday carry.

Your Social Security Card

Think of your Social Security card as a golden ticket for identity thieves. If it’s in your wallet and that wallet goes missing, you’ve just handed them the jackpot. Keep this crucial document stashed safely at home, only bringing it out for specific, necessary occasions like starting a new job.

Passwords or PIN Numbers

Scribbling down passwords or PINs and keeping them in your wallet is a big security no-no. Should your wallet disappear, you’ve essentially given hackers an open invitation to your accounts. Instead, embrace the digital age with a reliable password manager.

Several Credit Cards

Resist the urge to carry every credit card you own. A lost wallet stuffed with plastic means a marathon of cancellation calls to multiple banks. Simplify your life: keep just one or two cards for daily use and emergencies.

Blank Checks

Carrying blank checks is like handing out free passes to your bank account. Only carry what you absolutely need, and treat those checks with the same caution you would a wad of cash – because that’s essentially what they are.

Excess Cash

While a thick stack of bills might feel good in your wallet, it’s also a beacon for potential thieves. Plus, if it vanishes, so does all that hard-earned green. Stick to carrying only what you need for the day, or go cashless when possible.

Spare Keys

A spare key in your wallet seems smart, right up until your wallet goes missing. Now, a stranger could have direct access to your home or car. It’s far safer to leave a spare with a trusted friend or hidden securely at home.

A Passport Card

Just like your Social Security card, your passport card is best kept at home unless you’re actually traveling. Carrying it daily significantly increases your risk of identity theft if your wallet is lost or stolen.

Irreplaceable Photos

That precious, one-of-a-kind photo of your loved ones? If it’s in your wallet and that wallet disappears, those memories could be gone forever.

Digitize those treasures! Your phone and cloud storage offer much safer homes for your sentimental snaps.

Multiple Gift Cards

A wallet overflowing with gift cards is a tempting target. Think of them as cash, and only carry the ones you plan to use on a specific outing. The rest can wait safely at home.

A Birth Certificate

Your birth certificate is a cornerstone of your identity, and it has no business in your daily wallet. A copy will usually suffice for identification needs. Keep the original document locked away securely.

Your Phone (in a wallet case)

Wallet-phone combos are undeniably convenient, but they’re a double-edged sword. Lose one, and you lose everything – your phone, your ID, your cards. This single point of failure can empower a thief to wreak havoc on your finances and personal life all at once.

Receipts

While it’s smart to keep receipts for returns, many modern stores offer digital copies via email. Paper receipts often show the last few digits of your credit card number, and with your full name also printed, clever identity thieves can use this information to phish for the rest of your card details. Play it safe and go digital.

Medicare Card

Unless you’re heading to a doctor’s appointment, your Medicare card doesn’t need to be in your wallet. Older cards, in particular, may contain your Social Security number, making them a goldmine for identity thieves if misplaced. Only carry it when absolutely necessary.

Work ID or Access Badges

Keeping your work ID or access badge in your wallet might seem practical, but it’s a significant security gamble. If it’s stolen, it could grant unauthorized access to your workplace or expose personal information. Keep it separate and secure, only carrying it when you’re actually on the job.