Does This Wallet Make Me Look Fat?

A fat wallet is usually seen as a good thing. To many, it means you’re flush; you have plenty of cash. On the other, more literally hand, it simply means you’ve got too darn much stuff crammed in that cowhide safety deposit box. What good is that fishing license from 1986 anyway? Do you really need that movie rental card good only in Puerto Rico?

A fat wallet could also affect your health. Yep, it seems sitting on an over-sized wallet puts you in a posture that is both uncomfortable and dangerous. It can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, which can lead to sharp back pain.

So take a look at your billfold. Is it time for the big slim-down? Not only could a slimmer wallet provide more comfort, it could also increase your peace-of-mind with added security. According to consumer-protection advocates, there are a number of things you should never carry in your wallet as a security precaution. Do you keep any of these tucked away in your hip pocket?

Social Security Card
While many people carry this for reference, having it on your person is a big no-no. Picture a pickpocket lifting your wallet while you’re distracted. As he makes his exit and checks the contents, he smiles when he sees cash, but he’s ecstatic when he finds your Social Security Card. Mother lode! Why? A slick thief can use your SSN to open a new credit card account or take out a loan in your name. Make it a point to memorize your number and leave the card itself in a safer place.

Passwords Cheat Sheet
Did you know the average American uses seven different passwords to access personal online accounts (online banking, investment accounts, etc.)? That may sound like a lot, but experts recommend you use a different password for every account you have for ultimate security, and that could lead to dozens of passwords. It may be hard to keep track of them all, but it’s dangerous to keep a cheat sheet listing them all in your wallet. Once again, if a thief makes off with it, he has an easy path to accessing your private accounts. A better idea is to take the passwords out of your wallet and put them in a safe place at home. Encrypted mobile apps such as SplashID and Password Safe are available to help you keep track of passwords.

Spare Key(s)
Picture this: a thief gets away with your wallet and finds your spare house key. No big deal, he doesn’t know where you live, right? Well, he also made off with your driver’s license, which DOES provide your home address…and he has the key. Even if he has no intention of adding burglary to his pickpocketing resume, you’ll have lost any feeling of security; you’ll need to pay a locksmith to change out your locks. Rather than keep that spare key in your wallet, why not leave it with a trusted neighbor, or two?

Checks
There’s an old saying about giving someone the easy ability to spend money frivolously; you’re giving someone a “blank check.” Well, keep checks in your wallet and you may take that saying to a very literal end. If a thief finds a blank check in your wallet, he can quickly withdraw money from your checking account. With the routing and account numbers listed on checks, it’s not too difficult to electronically transfer funds from your account.

Multiple Credit Cards
Do you have a “favorite” credit card you like to use? Maybe it gets you air travel miles or some other pleasant reward? Well then, try carrying that card exclusively. Not only will it help slim down your wallet, but should your wallet disappear, you’ll have that many fewer credit cards you’ll have to worry about canceling.

Receipts
Even though businesses can no longer print receipts containing your credit/debit cards’ expiration dates or more than five numbers of the accounts, a resilient thief can still use the limited info to phish for the remnants of your personal info. So, clear out those paper trails at the end of each day.

As a precautionary note, try to avoid carrying large sums of cash in your wallet. For one thing, if lost, there’s no collecting on it. Also, if you’re paying for a pack of gum at the store and someone happens to notice you’ve got a wallet full of $100 bills, you might be exposing yourself to malicious intentions.

The sad truth is, no matter our best intentions, identity theft is a reality of modern life. To protect yourself against the chances of becoming a victim, don’t forget that we offer members our Vantage Identity Protection (VIP) program. This program provides comprehensive protection against identity theft and fraud, increasing your protection and improving security. You can enroll online at any time!