Tip of the Week

Have you Cleaned Your Wallet or Purse Lately?

Have you cleaned out your wallet or purse lately? There may be a lot of information in your wallet that makes you subject to identity thieves, and you did not realize it, including:

• identification cards that show your SSN (e.g. blood donation card, old health card, gym ID, etc.)
• health insurance cards—(your health identity can be stolen as well as your financial identity)
• social security card
• passport or visa
• passwords or pins written on notes

Only carry these items if you really need them that day (starting a new job, visiting a new doctor, etc.). Otherwise, leave these cards in a safe place and not where a thief can steal your identity!

Also, don’t let your identity be stolen from the mailbox. In January banks and other financial institutions will be mailing 1099s for tax purposes. This is easy pickings for identity thieves so monitor your box if its unlocked. Also, do not place outgoing bills, checks, or sensitive information in an unsecured mailbox at home. If you are mailing these sensitive items, take it to the post office or a blue postal box that has not had pick-up that day. If the mail will sit overnight, considering waiting to mail the sensitive item until the following day.