Your wallet is like a black hole; things seem to accumulate without you even realizing it. Receipts from long-forgotten purchases, gift cards for stores that closed years ago, loyalty cards that you’ve never even used, and old pictures of your kids—all of these things somehow find their way into your wallet. While these items might make your wallet bulky and take up unnecessary space, losing them isn’t a big deal. You probably won’t miss them if they disappear.
However, some things in your wallet are essential and would cause significant trouble if lost or stolen. Your ID, cash, and credit cards are the most obvious examples. Cash is especially problematic because it’s untraceable and nearly impossible to recover once lost.
You can get a new ID for about $20, but the wait can be up to two weeks, depending on when you request it. Credit cards, on the other hand, can be canceled quickly to prevent unauthorized charges, and most have good fraud protection these days. Although these items are crucial, they’re not what experts are warning Idahoans to remove from their wallets immediately.
The Social Security Administration advises that you should never carry your Social Security card in your wallet. There are very few situations where you actually need to show someone your physical Social Security card. This card, made of flimsy paper, serves as official proof of your Social Security number, which the government uses to track your lifetime earnings and work history.
Your employer might ask for your Social Security number when you start a new job to report your earnings to the IRS and the Social Security Administration. However, in most cases, simply providing the number is enough, and you don’t need to show the actual card. The same applies when opening a bank account, applying for a credit card, or going through a background or credit check.
Even when it comes to getting a REAL ID, such as Idaho’s Star Card, you don’t need to show your Social Security card. The DMV in Idaho verifies your Social Security number electronically, so the card isn’t necessary. In fact, only Pennsylvania requires you to show your Social Security card when upgrading to a REAL ID.
So, what’s the big risk if your Social Security card gets stolen? Thieves can use your Social Security number to apply for credit in your name. If they rack up debt and don’t pay it off, your credit score will take a hit. Thieves might also use your number to open bank accounts, steal money from your accounts, or even fraudulently receive benefits like disability or unemployment.
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It’s just not worth the risk. Instead of carrying your Social Security card in your wallet, keep it at home in a safe place with other important documents. And while you’re at it, consider cleaning out other unnecessary items from your wallet to avoid any potential issues.
