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Three Things You Should Never Put in Your Wallet
Your wallet is one of the most personal items you carry. It holds your money, your identity, and in many ways, your sense of security. Yet most people treat their wallets like storage units—stuffing them with items they “might need someday” without realizing the risks involved.
Here are three things you should never put in your wallet, why they’re dangerous, and what to carry instead.
1. Your Social Security Card (or Number Written Down)
Why People Carry It
Many people keep their Social Security card in their wallet out of habit or convenience. Others write the number on a piece of paper “just in case” they need it.
But this is one of the most dangerous items you can carry.
Why It’s a Serious Risk
Your Social Security number is the master key to your identity. If your wallet is lost or stolen, that single card can allow criminals to:
Open credit accounts in your name
Apply for loans or benefits
Access medical services using your identity
Unlike a credit card, a Social Security number cannot be canceled or easily replaced. The damage can last for years.
Why Experts Warn Against It
Identity theft experts and law enforcement agencies consistently advise against carrying Social Security cards. The risk far outweighs the convenience.
Even writing the number down is risky. A thief doesn’t need the physical card—just the number.
What to Do Instead
Memorize your Social Security number
Carry it only when absolutely required, and remove it immediately afterward
Your wallet should never be the permanent home for your most sensitive identifier.
2. Passwords, PINs, or Login Information
Why People Carry Them
People jot down passwords for:
ATM cards
Email accounts
Online banking
Phone unlock codes
They assume a wallet is safe because it’s usually close at hand. Unfortunately, that’s exactly why it’s risky.
Why This Is More Dangerous Than You Think
If someone steals your wallet and finds:
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