What does your wallet have? This is a very important question to ask yourself if you don't want to unintentionally help someone steal your identity. Please keep reading if you want to find out why.
When it comes to identity theft, it's important for everyone not to carry around all of their important personal papers in their purse or wallet. Too many people make the mistake of always carrying around personal documents that they don't need. What kind of identification do you need to carry with you every day? What you plan to do changes this.
The main idea is that you should only carry the credit cards and ID you need for that day. The reason is so that if you lose your wallet or purse, identity thieves won't be able to get too much information about you.
You should only have what you need.
If you want to fly on a commercial plane in the United States, you need your airline ticket and a government-approved photo ID. A valid passport, military ID, or driver's licence from the state are all examples of official photo ID. You don't have to bring them all. If you want to drive a car at any point during this trip, make sure you have your driver's licence with you. Another important thing is to keep these important documents in a safe place so that a thief who wants to steal your identity doesn't get them when you are rummaging around in your luggage.
If you need to go to your bank to get cash, all you need is your driver's licence and your account number. Obviously, you don't need a driver's licence to take money out of an ATM, but you do need a driver's licence if you want to drive.
But if you are starting a new job, you usually need a valid photo ID and a social security card. If you don't have a social security card, you can usually get by with a voter ID card and an original copy of your birth certificate. Since the laws in each state are different, it would be smart to talk to your HR department before your first day. Again, don't bring anything other than the information you need. You shouldn't carry around documents you don't need because that makes you more likely to have your identity stolen.
Now, when it comes to credit cards, you usually only need to carry one with you in case of an emergency. Visa and MasterCard are the best cards to have because they can be used almost anywhere. Make sure this card has at least a few hundred dollars in credit. You should shred and throw away any credit cards that you have cancelled. If you have credit card accounts that are still open but that you never use, you should keep those at home to lower your risk of identity theft.
Be careful and alert to keep yourself safe, and keep an eye out for more articles about identity theft.
