10 things you should never carry in your purse or wallet

Stash these items at home instead.

The reason for carrying a purse is to corral your wallet, keys, and maybe some makeup for touch-ups. If you’re anything like us, you may also find snacks, hair ties, and random receipts. And while you never want to be without while you're out and about, there are some things you should never carry in your purse. Get ready to clean out your handbag, and make sure that these items stay at home.

Birth Certificate

Don’t keep important documents like birth certificates in your purse. Keep birth certificates in a safe, safety deposit box, or other secure place at home. If you have to bring it for proof of identity when applying for passports or other services, make sure to put it back in a secure location right away to avoid losing it and prevent identity theft.

Social Security Card

That little paper card with your Social Security number does not belong in your wallet. Commit the number to memory, and store the card in a secure place at home or in a safety deposit box. There are few times when you need the actual card, such as when you get a new job. If the card is lost or stolen, someone could steal your identity, opening a new credit card or obtaining a loan in your name. This can take months or years to resolve. You should also avoid carrying cards or IDs that have your Social Security number on them. 

Debit Card And Extra Credit Cards

Debit cards aren’t as customer friendly as credit cards when it comes to loss or theft. While both offer protection in these situations, some credit card companies will not hold customers responsible for stolen amounts of money. For debit cards, loss or theft needs to be reported immediately or there may be some liability for unauthorized transactions. Except when you need cash at the ATM, credit cards are the better bet to have in your wallet.

You also don’t need to carry every credit card you have. Just bring the one you use to make most of your transactions. Then, if your purse goes missing, you won’t have to cancel all those credit cards.

Passwords

You may think your cheat sheet of passwords and PIN codes is safe in a notebook in your purse. No matter what kind of shorthand you’ve invented to make it hard to crack, don’t risk it. It’s easy to misplace or lose, and you likely don’t need all of those passwords while running errands anyway. If you want access at any time, consider a password-protected app on your phone that keeps passwords safe all in one place. Then you’ll have one password to remember.

Blank Checks

If lost or stolen, blank checks are easy to forge, and getting the problem resolved with the bank can take time. They also contain bank account and routing numbers that others shouldn’t have access to. Don’t bring the entire checkbook full of empty checks either. Use other forms of payment, or bring one check that’s already filled out if possible. 

Spare Keys

If you lose your purse, a thief has the potential to learn where you live, where you shop, your account info, and more. Don’t keep spare keys in your purse either. Paired with the address on your ID, it could be an invitation for unwelcome guests. Since spare keys aren’t something you’ll likely reach for often, it may take time for you to notice they are missing, too.

Passport

When traveling, it’s best to only bring your passport with you when you will need it, such as at the airport or at border crossings. When you do have to bring it, carry it on a money belt on your body rather than in your purse, where it can easily fall out when you pull out other items. During travel, use locked luggage or the hotel safe to keep it secure. 

Unprotected Phone

Unlike a landline, a smart phone contains a lot of personal information that you wouldn’t want a stranger to access. From your home address to family photos to credit cards stored in apps, a thief can learn a lot about someone from their phone. Make sure it’s password protected, and choose a code that’s longer than four numbers or a fingerprint or photo ID to make it harder for someone else to guess. 

Work ID

When you’re not at work, keep ID badges in a bag with your laptop and other work necessities rather than in your purse. If that ID gets lost or stolen, it could affect your building’s safety by giving others access.

Heavy Items

Reduce your load and save your back by carrying only necessary items that you’ll need for the tasks you have scheduled for the day. Laptops, extra clothes, umbrellas, food, and water bottles add weight that may cost your back at the end of the day. Keep only the essentials in your purse, and bring along a tote bag or backpack with extras that you can access when you need them.

Read the original article on Southern Living