13 Things You Should Never Keep in Your Wallet

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A wallet is a common place to store useful things in daily life. But too much stuff inside your wallet can lead to security threats and unwanted bulk. You must choose wisely because your data and peace of mind are at risk.

Knowing what should not be in your wallet could save you the headache of identity theft and financial loss. You keep anything away that causes your bag to become heavy and add clutter while protecting items you will want to remain private. This article looks at a few things you should not keep in your wallet.

Social Security Card

Keeping your Social Security card in your wallet greatly increases the chances of identity theft. If someone steals this important document, they can present it and open accounts or access the existing one on your behalf. A more preventive measure is to keep your Social Security card stored at home in a safe and only carry it whenever you need it.

Multiple Credit Cards

It’s wise to have a backup credit card, but limit your wallet to just one card so that you won’t be vulnerable if your wallet is lost or stolen. This also makes keeping track of your cards easier and lessens the chances that you may be liable for unauthorized charges.

Birth Certificate

Like a social security card, it contains essential identifying information. It is far better left in the safety of your home, as otherwise, you increase the likelihood that it might get lost or stolen, allowing an identity thief to gain a great deal.

Spare House Key

While keeping a backup house key in your wallet sounds super convenient, it could make your home easy to break into if you ever lose your wallet. If you don’t want to get locked out again, leave an extra set of keys with a friend you can rely on or at their house.

Password Cheat Sheet

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While keeping your passwords in your wallet might seem like an easy way to prevent them from being forgotten, if someone gets their hands on your wallet, they will have access to all your accounts. Instead, use a reputable password manager to store and manage your passwords safely.

Passport

Your passport has a lot of personal info and the potential for international ID theft. Leaving it in your wallet needlessly exposes it to the risk of loss and theft. Store your passport sensibly at home, and never treat it as anything other than a vital piece of travel equipment abroad.

Receipts with Personal Information

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Of course, receipts might contain personal information, including your card’s last four digits or signature. They may become a wallet clutter and, if lost, an utterly unnecessary security issue. Only keep receipts you need and destroy them safely when you have finished with them.

Excess Cash

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Although having some cash in your pocket is practical, holding hefty amounts can pose a danger. That amount of money is not recoverable if lost or stolen from your wallet. So it is better to pack what your life will accommodate for those 24 hours.

Blank Checks

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A blank check is the equivalent of carrying too much cash or crucial private information. Crucially, someone could use it to make unauthorized transactions against your bank account if it falls into the wrong hands. Only keep very few checks at home unless you have to have one for a particular transaction.

Gift Cards and Vouchers

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Gift cards and vouchers have an actual monetary value, so they should be kept at home rather than carried in a wallet. If lost, they would mean a financial loss, so it is best to take the ones you intend for today’s usage.

Personal Business Cards

Keeping business cards in your wallet creates unnecessary clutter and shares potentially private contact info. Consider a digital alternative or storing them safely at home and keeping only the important ones for networking.

Membership and Loyalty Cards

While useful, having too many membership and loyalty cards leads to a wallet bulge. Now that so many digital options and apps exist, the best advice would be to keep records in an abbreviated form with light plastic unless carrying physical cards proves unavoidable.

Old Hotel Key Cards

Hotel key cards are still used long after deactivating, so you do not want to keep too many in your wallet. Disposing of them by the end of your visit validates that your data is not left for unauthorized individuals to access.