Have you ever had that horrible feeling that you can’t find your wallet? Modern purses serve as mini bags as they allow us to carry all our necessary things with us. But if you lose this bag or wallet, you literally lose everything. If thieves steal your wallet, they basically have access to your entire life.
Everyone knows that it’s not recommended to keep passwords, PIN numbers, and keys in our purses. Bright Side has decided to find other items that you’d better leave at home.
5. Social Security card
If swindlers know your social security number, they are able to apply for credit in your name or even get a job and earn income that’s reported to the IRS. Keep your SSN at home and make sure the number doesn’t show on your other documents.
4. Bank and shop receipts and checks
It’s not safe if your receipts and checks get in an experienced swindlers’ hands. With the help of these sheets of paper, scammers can gain access to information about your transactions and even your bank account.
One of the most common schemes that scammers use is when they request a refund using somebody else’s receipt to try to return an item picked up from a store shelf.
To get your receipt, fraudsters don’t even have to steal your wallet. Sometimes strangers like mothers with kids or elderly people ask you to give them your receipt to collect bonuses. Remember that your receipt is a document and you shouldn’t pass it to anyone or throw it away near a store.
3. All debit or credit cards
It’s not the best idea to keep all your cards in one place (especially if your cards are contactless). So if you lose your purse, there’s a chance that scammers could use your cards before you can lock them. It’s better to carry one card that you’re going to use the day you’re going out.
To avoid any possible problems in the future, it’s recommended that you take photos of both sides of your cards and keep them at home in case you lose your card and can’t remember its number.
In order to prevent anyone from using your card to shop online, you can erase your CVV number. You should write it down and keep it in a safe place or simply memorize it. You could also come up with a password, a 3-digit number, and write it down on the backside of your card and to recall your CVV number, create a formula.
For example:
formula: + 1, 2, 3
password: 111
counting: 1+1=2; 1+2=3; 1+3=4
CVV is 234.
2. USB flash drives
Losing a USB flash drive containing important reports, tickets, and personal data isn’t just an unpleasant situation, but can also be dangerous if a scammer finds your USB.
Try to keep your flash drives at home and carry only those that you need. Additionally, you can set a password to protect your important documents.
1. Contraceptives
Many people put these birth control devices in their back pockets or wallets. Of course you won’t get too upset if you lose condoms, but carrying them in your purse is pretty risky.
The thing is, when condoms experience heat, the latex becomes weaker, putting them at greater risk of breakage. And if contraceptives come into contact with something sharp, like your keys, it can create a small hole that you wouldn’t notice.
Bonus: What you can put in your wallet
It appears that carrying your children’s photos in your wallet isn’t an old-fashioned habit.
In 2009, research was conducted where psychologists planted 240 wallets on the streets of Edinburgh, and, surprisingly, almost half of them were returned. The specific percentage was 42 %, which was way more than the researchers hoped for.
Can you remember any other items that it’s recommended we don’t carry in our wallets?
Please note: This article was updated in April 2022 to correct source material and factual inaccuracies.
