Indiana Residents Warned to Remove These Items From Purses and Wallets Immediately

When it comes to safety and practicality, what you carry in your purse or wallet can make a significant difference. There are three items you should never carry with you to ensure your personal information remains secure and your belongings stay safe.

Your purse or wallet is probably full of old candy, bandaids, and personal information, which makes it a prime target for identity thieves. While it's tempting to carry everything you might need, doing so can put you at risk. Let's focus on three items you should never carry:

Social Security Card Safety

This one seems obvious, but it's worth repeating: Never carry your Social Security card in your purse or wallet. The Social Security Administration has a simple slogan, "Guard Your Card," for a reason. Your Social Security number is a crucial piece of personal information that can be used to steal your identity. Memorize the number if you need to use it frequently.

Old Receipts

Those crumpled-up receipts at the bottom of your purse or wallet might seem harmless, but they could be a goldmine for identity thieves. Receipts often contain personal information like your name, address, and credit card number.

Did I mention that I am guilty of hoarding receipts? The bigger my purse, the more receipts I keep.

Expired Cards

I also hang on to expired membership cards, and those can also be used for evil by scammers. If you are hanging on to expired or canceled credit cards, you need to cut them up and throw them away.

Expired credit cards, debit cards, and even driver's licenses can pose a risk. While you might be tempted to hold onto them, they can be used to piece together your personal information.

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 I actually kept my old driver's license, so I have two of them in my wallet. One is in color and the other is black and white, but I'm not sure why I'm hanging on to the expired one.

Additional Tips for Hoosiers:

• Secure Your Personal Information: Avoid carrying documents with sensitive personal information, such as passwords or PINs.
• Use a Minimalist Wallet: Choose a slim, minimalist wallet to reduce the temptation to overstuff it.
• Regularly Check Your Wallet: Periodically review the contents of your wallet and remove any unnecessary items.

By being mindful of what you carry in your purse or wallet, you can significantly reduce the risk of theft and loss. It's so important to keep your personal information safe by leaving these three items at home. Stay safe and secure, and enjoy peace of mind knowing you’ve taken steps to protect yourself.