Should you carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse?
Asked by: Ms. Yvette Abernathy | Last update: July 27, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (15 votes)
Should I keep my Social Security card in my purse?
One other thing: do not carry your social security card in your wallet or purse. That is asking for trouble (identity theft) if your wallet or purse is ever stolen or lost. Only carry it if and when you need it.
Do I keep my Social Security card in my wallet?
Follow these tips to minimize the risk of identity theft: Never carry your social security card in your wallet. There are few times that you are required to have your social security card with you, such as day one of a new job to fill out I-9 paperwork. Leave your card at home in a secure place.
Where is the safest place to keep your Social Security card?
Safe deposit box
Most banks or credit unions offer safe deposit boxes. Some banks will offer a discount if you're a current customer as well. A safe deposit box is perfect for storing original documents, like birth certificates, wills, social security information, annual tax returns, and power of attorney.
Am I supposed to carry my Social Security card with me?
Don't carry your Social Security card with you. Keep it at home in a safe place. Be careful about who you give your number to. Change your passwords regularly and use a unique password for each account to prevent hackers from accessing multiple accounts if one password is stolen.
Guide To A Man's Wallet - Wallet Types - What To Carry In Your Wallet - How To Buy A Wallet
How should I store my Social Security card?
Keep your Social Security card in a safe place at home. Memorize your SSN so you don't need to write it down or look at your Social Security card. Stash your SSN in a digital storage system known as an encrypted vault.
Should I keep my ID in my wallet?
Key Takeaways. You should only keep items you need in your wallet, like your driver's license, credit and debit cards, and your health insurance card. On the other hand, you should avoid carrying items like your Social Security card and your birth certificate with you unless you need other forms of ID.
Where should I hide my Social Security card?
Leave Your Card at Home
Don't carry your Social Security card around with you in your wallet or purse. Don't enter your SSN into your phone, laptop, or other devices. It would be rare for you to need your card.
How to protect your SSN card?
- Don't carry your Social Security card around with you. ...
- Keep your Social Security card and number in a safe place. ...
- Avoid sharing your number unless it's required. ...
- Beware of phone and email scams. ...
- Create strong passwords. ...
- Shred documents that feature personal information.
Where should you keep your passport at home?
Many people store their passports in a safety deposit box or filing cabinet at home. However, there are a lot of risks, costs, and inconveniences attached to each of these options. The most intelligent way to protect your passport is to store it in your safe.
What should you not carry in your wallet or purse?
Sullivan says your Social Security card and any identification or documents that include your Social Security number are perfect examples of what not to keep in your wallet. Those nine digits could make it easier for a fraudster to open loans or credit card accounts in your name.
Is it safe to take a picture of your Social Security card?
Even if you did not use the Social Security Number (SSN), photographing the card without permission may still be a breach of privacy or could potentially be interpreted as gathering personal identifying information without consent.
Should I keep all my cards in my wallet?
Don't carry every credit card you own because if your wallet is lost or stolen, a thief will have a field day with your cards and you won't have anything to fall back on while you take care of getting new cards. Carry only one or two of your main cards, and possibly a back up.
Why shouldn't you keep your Social Security card in your wallet?
Social Security Card
This is the one thing an identity thief would love more than anything go get their hands on. Your full name and Social Security number are all someone needs to start ruining your credit.
Should I put my purse in my carry on?
Your personal item like a purse or small handbag must fit under the seat in front of you. Dimensions should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). These don't count as your personal item or carry-on: Diaper bags (1 per child)
What should be in my wallet?
That includes credit and debit cards as well as personal identification, like your driver's license or state-issued identification.
Where should you keep a Social Security card?
You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Don't carry it with you unless you need to show it to an employer or service provider.
How do I store my SSN safely?
Encryption converts data into a secure code that can only be decoded with a specific decryption key. Use industry-standard protocols like AES-256 to encrypt SSNs when they're stored. This way, the information will stay unreadable without the right decryption key, even if there's a data breach.
Does locking your SSN prevent identity theft?
Although locking your SSN helps prevent anyone from committing identity theft or fraud in your name, it also has consequences that you may face even as the owner of your own SSN. If you requested to lock your SSN and later want that lock removed, you can contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to unlock it.
Should I always carry my Social Security card?
We encourage you not to carry your Social Security card with you every day. The best way to “Guard Your Card” is to keep it in a safe place and share it only when required, which is rare. In fact, in most cases, just knowing the Social Security number should be enough.
Is it illegal to carry your Social Security card?
No, and neither should you. Your social security card should be kept in a secure location in your house for the very rare cases when you need it, for example when you are proving employability at a new job.
How do I protect my Social Security card?
Don't carry your Social Security card with you. Instead, memorize your SSN and keep it secure at home. Never repeat your SSN aloud in public or around anyone you don't trust, and always ask why and how it will be used before giving it out.
Should I put my driver's license in Apple Wallet?
A secure and private way to present your California ID
A user's information is encrypted on a user's device, so others – including Apple – cannot access it unless a user chooses to present it. Apple does not retain any presentment information that can be tied back to a user.
Where should I keep my ID card?
When you're not wearing your ID card on a lanyard or bade reel, keep it in a safe place. This might be in your purse or backpack or in the place where you keep your wallet, keys and other essentials. By identifying a regular place to leave your ID card when it's not in use, you'll ensure you don't misplace your card.
How many cards should I carry in my wallet?
Carry one credit card and one debit card.
Multiple credit cards are not only a pain to cancel if stolen, but a boon to thieves who could quickly rack up online orders or send runners into multiple stores. Set up fraud alerts on your debit card and set a daily spending limit to reduce your risk.