Still carrying these 10 items in your wallet? Here's why that's risky
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Still carrying these 10 items in your wallet? Here's why that's risky
Michael Kurko February 5, 2026 at 11:42 PM
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10 things thieves hope are in your wallet right now (intek1 via Getty Images)
At some point, most of us have experienced the stress of losing a wallet — or worse, having it stolen.
But the real stress comes next. Beyond replacing your cards and IDs is the bigger question of what damage someone could do with what's inside. Some items in your wallet are basically identity theft starter kits, and you might be carrying them without a second thought.
Security experts point to specific items that turn a lost wallet from an inconvenience into a full-blown crisis. Here are 10 things you should never carry in your wallet or bag.
1. Social Security card
Your Social Security number is among the most important and sensitive pieces of personal information you have. With it, thieves can open credit cards, file false tax returns, take out loans, drain bank accounts or steal government benefits — all in your name.
What to do instead
There’s virtually no reason to carry your Social Security card. Instead, memorize your number and then store your physical card away at home in a safe, fireproof document box or locked drawer.
Retrieve it only when absolutely necessary, like onboarding with a new job or completing government paperwork that requires it.
🔍 Read more: 7 big changes to Social Security in 2026 (one that could shrink your check)
2. Birth certificate
Your birth certificate is the foundation of your legal identity. It can be used to obtain nearly any other form of identification. If someone steals it, they can use it to impersonate you — or sell your identity on the dark web. Worse still: Replacing your birth certificate is a tedious process that can take weeks or months.
What to do instead
Keep your birth certificate in a safe or fireproof lockbox along with your Social Security card, and use your driver’s license or passport card for everyday ID needs.
Except for passports applications and some government forms, you’ll almost never need the original — a certified copy is usually enough.
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3. Passport (unless you’re traveling)
Speaking of your passport, this little book is one of the most powerful documents you own, making it valuable to thieves. A stolen passport (or passport card) can be used for international identity fraud or sold on the black market.
Even in your home country, it can be used to open bank accounts or credit cards. And replacing a passport requires filing fees of $130 or more, long processing times and travel restrictions if you have a trip planned.
What to do instead
Only carry your passport when traveling internationally. Use a REAL ID driver’s license or state ID for everyday identification. At home, lock it away with your other valuables.
🔍 Read more: 5 places you shouldn’t use your debit card (and 3 situations when you should)
4. Blank checks or checkbook
Every blank check in your checkbook offers everything a thief needs to drain your bank account: your name, address, bank account number and routing number. They don’t even need to forge your signature — by the time your bank catches the fraud, your money could be gone.
What to do instead
Leave your checkbook at home. If you think you’ll need it soon, carry only a single check.
And if you’re still writing checks more than once or twice a month, look into more secure digital payment methods like Venmo, PayPal, Zelle or your bank’s mobile payment app.
🔍 Read more: Help! I've been scammed: What are my chances of a bank refund?
5. Multiple credit cards
Every credit card in your wallet is another opportunity for fraud. Americans have three to four credit cards on average. If you always carry them with you, a thief can max them before you realize your wallet is gone, not to mention canceling them and ordering replacements.
What to do instead
Carry one primary card and one backup from a different network (think: Visa and Mastercard). Leave the rest at home.
Store your card account details and customer service numbers in a secure place so you can act fast if you lose your cards.
Better yet: Set up a digital wallet like Google Wallet, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay to tap and pay with your phone. No physical cards needed, and your details stay protected.
🔍 Read more: Hidden credit card benefits and protections most people ignore
6. Too much cash
Cash is the easiest to lose — and a thief’s favorite grab. And unlike credit card fraud, there’s no customer service to call, no charges to dispute and no replacement in the mail. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
What to do instead
Carry only what you think you’ll actually spend that day. For most people, that’s $20 to $60.
If you’re worried about emergencies, tuck 20 bucks somewhere other than your wallet — say, in a money clip, zippered pocket or your glove box. Use a card or mobile payment for everything else.
🔍 Read more: 7 key signs you're going to be a millionaire one day
7. Spare keys
Keeping a spare house or car key in your wallet can be useful if you get locked out of either. But lose your wallet, and you’ve just handed over a burglary kit for thieves — the address on your driver’s license and the key to get in. Maybe even a way to steal your car.
What to do instead
Leave a spare house key with a trusted neighbor. Store an extra car key in a secure lockbox at home. Even a magnetic hide-a-key works in a pinch.
For a high-tech solution, install a smart lock with keypad or app access. No physical keys needed.
🔍 Read more: When’s the best time to shop for car insurance? (It could be right now)
8. Passwords or PINs
That piece of paper with password hints or PINs tucked behind your credit cards? It’s an all-too-common mistake that makes a thief’s job easy. “Birth year + cat’s name” isn’t hard to crack — your birthdate is on your license, and Mr. Whiskers is all over Facebook.
What to do instead
Use a digital password manager like Dashlane, LastPass or your favorite browser’s built-in option. That way, it’s only one password to remember that unlocks the rest. Store any written backups in a locked drawer at home.
For extra protection, turn on two-factor authentication on all important accounts. Even if a thief steals your password, they can’t log in without an extra step — a temporary texted code, biometrics or authenticator app.
🔍 Read more: 5 practical ways to keep your financial information and identity safe online
9. Medical documents
Old prescriptions, insurance statements and medical paperwork, prescriptions in your wallet are goldmines for identity fraud. Each includes your full name, birthdate and policy numbers a criminal can use at the pharmacy or clinic — leaving you to absorb the costs.
What to do instead
Carry only what you need: a current insurance card, emergency contacts, maybe a list of serious allergies. Shred expired cards and old statements that include your policy numbers.
And keep photos of your insurance card — front and back — on your phone. That way, you’ll still have policy details to report if your wallet goes missing.
🔍 Read more: 6 simple ways to save money on your prescriptions (without skipping your meds)
10. Receipts
These days, most receipts mask your full credit card details. But they might still include the last four digits, merchant details, transaction dates and your signature. Even incomplete information can be enough for thieves to piece together your shopping habits, confirm stolen card details and practice forging your John Hancock.
What to do instead
Set a weekly reminder to empty your wallet of all receipts. Take photos of important ones for digital recordkeeping — warranties, returns, business expenses or large purchases — and shred the rest.
Keep the digital paper trail in an app like Expensify, Shoeboxed or your bank’s app that allow you to search by date, merchant or amount — all without the paper clutter.
🔍 Read more: AOL editor approved: 9 best free and low-cost budgeting apps
Prepare now, recover faster later
Even if you minimize what you carry in your wallet, it pays to plan for the worst if it’s lost or stolen:
Document the important stuff. Take photos of ID cards, credit cards and insurance cards — front and back — and store them in a safe, secure place you can access when you need it.
Turn on fraud alerts. Enable push notifications for every transaction on your cards and bank accounts so you’re notified immediately — even before you notice your wallet’s gone.
Consider an RFID-blocking wallet. These wallets and sleeves cost $15 to $30 and prevent thieves from wirelessly skimming or scanning your contactless cards.
Check your credit reports every six months. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228 for free copies of your credit reports. Report any suspicious activity, unfamiliar accounts or incorrect information to the bureaus.
🔍 Read more: Top 15 financial scams — and what you can do to avoid them
The takeaway: The less you carry, the less you risk
While it’s tempting to use your wallet as a filing cabinet or “just in case” storage, it’s among the most commonly lost or stolen items you own.
By leaving high-risk items out — your Social Security card, blank checks, spare keys and too many cards — you dramatically reduce your exposure to identity theft, financial loss and the nightmare of recovery.
The key is carrying only what you actually need. Everything else? Keep it locked at home.
A little discipline now saves you months of stress, paperwork and fraud disputes that come with a stolen identity.
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About the writer
Michael Kurko is a finance writer and editor who covers investing, real estate, personal budgeting and financial literacy. His expertise has been featured in FinanceBuzz, The Balance, Investopedia, U.S. News & World Report and Forbes Advisor, among other top financial publications. In addition to his work in finance, Michael is also a freelance book editor and fiction writer. He strives to make complex money topics clear and approachable so readers can make informed decisions and build lasting financial confidence.
Article edited by Kelly Suzan Waggoner
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Source: “AOL Money”
