The Wallet and Preventing Identity Theft
What to Carry in a Wallet or Purse to Protect Against Fraud
Sep 17, 2009
It’s nice to have everything handy in a wallet, but it’s also nice for a criminal who steals or finds a wallet. Here are some tips to keep personal information exactly that.
Protect a Bank Book from Fraud and Start Banking Online
Keep bank books at home, and only take them out when going to the bank and back. Many people do their banking and keep track of their transactions online through their bank’s website. Make sure to access the site through the website address given by the financial institution. Be wary of any unsolicited email or phone call purporting to be from the bank, especially if account details are being asked for. Never give banking information over the phone or through email in such cases. Call the bank number listed in the phone book or go into the bank itself to see if any changes are needed.
Preventing Identity Theft: Leave Birth Certificates at Home
Documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. should be left at home in a safe place. Do not carry them unless absolutely needed for filling out things like government paperwork. Then bring them right back home.
Social Insurance Cards Need to Stay Home to Best Prevent Identity Theft
Don’t carry a social insurance card around. It is rarely necessary. The best thing to do is to keep it at home and memorize the number. This card is very useful for a criminal in the pursuit of identity theft.
Protect Cheque Book Against Fraud
Do not carry a cheque book around. If a cheque is needed for payment, just carry the one that is needed. Find out to whom and how much is needed and fill it out prior to leaving the house. Leave the cheque book at home.
Keep Credit Cards and Debit Cards Safe from Fraud
It’s a good idea not to carry every single credit card a person owns when going out. Leave one or two in the wallet, and the rest at home. If there is the choice of using a credit card or debit card – go with the credit card. In most cases, if a person acts quickly to report a lost or stolen card, the credit card company will take over the responsibility of dealing with any fraudulent purchases. If a debit card is stolen and used, there is more responsibility on the shoulders of the owner of the card to sort the matter out. Never give out the PIN of a debit card. If it was willingly given, then it makes it very hard to prove that the money was taken without consent.
When using credit cards and debit cards, make sure to watch the entire transaction, the card should not leave the room. Also, keep an eye on the news, there are more and more stories about store card readers and bank ATMs that have been hit by skimming devices. These are devices that collect information from debit and credit cards that are used by criminals.
Take Care of Receipts to Prevent Fraud
It’s important to keep wallets and purses organized. Make sure to take out receipts and paperwork that have any personal information on them, on a regular basis. Do not throw them away, as someone can go through the garbage legally once it has been put out on the curb. The best bet is to shred all paperwork that has any account numbers, addresses and other personal data.
Keep Important Phone Numbers Handy if Cards are Stolen or Lost
It’s a good idea to have customer service numbers for banks and credit card companies should cards from these financial institutions be stolen. The number for MasterCard is 1-800-247-4623 and for Visa it is 1-800-428-1858. Also keep on file, in a safe place at home, the account numbers to these cards.
Carry only the bare minimum, when it comes to identification and cards that are in a wallet or purse. The less personal information leaving the home, the less are one’s chances of becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud. Read on for more information about paperwork and fraud protection and what to do if a purse or wallet is stolen or lost.
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