If your bank information has ever been hacked or your identity stolen, then you are likely familiar with the lesson that comes with it.
If you haven’t removed your highly sensitive data from your wallet, consider yourself lucky. This is precisely the reason why authorities are urging residents in Michigan and across the country to take action. Removing this information will save you from wasting your time, worrying, and potentially losing money.
As a Michigander, your entire life likely resides in your wallet. From bank cards and government I.D./driver’s license to insurance cards and business cards, you carry it all with you. You may even have some cherished family photos tucked away in there.
Think about what could happen if your wallet fell into the hands of a criminal. They could learn a lot about your life just from the contents of your wallet.
Just think about what would happen if your Social Security card was in that wallet. With that information alone, someone could easily open a new line of credit in your name. Who can afford to have their identity stolen, especially in today’s economy?
Social Security officials are cautioning against the following:
We encourage you not to carry your Social Security card with you every day. The best way to “Guard Your Card” is to keep it in a safe place and share it only when required, which is rare. In fact, in most cases, just knowing the Social Security number should be enough. In 49 states and the District of Columbia, a Social Security card isn’t required to request a Real ID. Only Pennsylvania requires it.
It’s important to note that any document which contains your personal identification number should be handled with caution. To safeguard your privacy and prevent identity theft, it’s crucial to take necessary measures. In case you become a victim of identity theft, it’s important to know how to report it. You can find helpful resources on protecting your privacy and reporting identity theft here.
