An easy way to save yourself from identity theft and it has to do with a wallet.
More identities are stolen by information in wallets than through the internet.
So is your wallet putting your security at risk? That all depends what you have inside.
We all carry one, whether in a purse or pocket, wallets are something we don't leave home without.
We asked some people what they keep in their wallets.
“Credit cards, ID," one person stated.
"Credit cards, checking account debit cards, driver’s license and I have my insurance cards," another person stated.
"Credit cards, coupons, stamps, address labels, driver’s license," addressed another.
Experts say the more you have inside, the more potential for identity theft.
“The biggest source of credit card fraud is not the internet, it's lost wallets,” explained Lower Paxton Township Police Lieutenant Gary Seefeldt. “It's a bigger problem than most people realize."
When we're out and about all we really need is a driver’s license or ID and one form of payment, preferably cash.
“Less than $20,” is all one person said they carry.
“I carry about $60, $50 to $60,” another stated.
“You want as little as possible in your wallet if you're going to carry a wallet," Seefeldt advised.
Lt. Seefeldt recommends a money clip. Have an ID, one credit card and cash. That's it. Keep it in a pocket with a zipper or button closure, or if you’re carrying a purse, keep it safe in an inside pocket.
Everything else keep secure at home until you need it.
Don't ever carry your social security card, they unlock the doors to all of your financial records.
And don't forget about older military ID's and Medicare cards, they too have your social on them.
Never put passwords, a birth certificate or pin numbers in your wallet.
"We've actually had people who had their pin number written on their debit card," Seefeldt commented.
Other items to leave at home include ATM and store receipts.
"Anything that has identifying numbers on it, you don't want to have those things in your wallet," Seefeldt told us.
Most importantly, never, ever carry checks. Your name, address and bank account number are right there.
"Every number a person needs to raid your bank account is on that check," Seefeldt added. "Checks are actually easier to use fraudulently than credit cards."
Preparation now can save you big headaches in the long run.
Most women in the newsroom carried their checkbook in their wallet.
Are there preparations people can take now in case their wallet is stolen?
Make a list of all of your credit card numbers and corresponding 800-numbers.
Keep it in a safe place at home. If your wallet is stolen, you'll have those numbers to cancel your cards.
And always, always file a police report. Many banks and even some credit card companies will ask for it.
More identities are stolen by information in wallets than through the internet.
So is your wallet putting your security at risk? That all depends what you have inside.
We all carry one, whether in a purse or pocket, wallets are something we don't leave home without.
We asked some people what they keep in their wallets.
“Credit cards, ID," one person stated.
"Credit cards, checking account debit cards, driver’s license and I have my insurance cards," another person stated.
"Credit cards, coupons, stamps, address labels, driver’s license," addressed another.
Experts say the more you have inside, the more potential for identity theft.
“The biggest source of credit card fraud is not the internet, it's lost wallets,” explained Lower Paxton Township Police Lieutenant Gary Seefeldt. “It's a bigger problem than most people realize."
When we're out and about all we really need is a driver’s license or ID and one form of payment, preferably cash.
“Less than $20,” is all one person said they carry.
“I carry about $60, $50 to $60,” another stated.
“You want as little as possible in your wallet if you're going to carry a wallet," Seefeldt advised.
Lt. Seefeldt recommends a money clip. Have an ID, one credit card and cash. That's it. Keep it in a pocket with a zipper or button closure, or if you’re carrying a purse, keep it safe in an inside pocket.
Everything else keep secure at home until you need it.
Don't ever carry your social security card, they unlock the doors to all of your financial records.
And don't forget about older military ID's and Medicare cards, they too have your social on them.
Never put passwords, a birth certificate or pin numbers in your wallet.
"We've actually had people who had their pin number written on their debit card," Seefeldt commented.
Other items to leave at home include ATM and store receipts.
"Anything that has identifying numbers on it, you don't want to have those things in your wallet," Seefeldt told us.
Most importantly, never, ever carry checks. Your name, address and bank account number are right there.
"Every number a person needs to raid your bank account is on that check," Seefeldt added. "Checks are actually easier to use fraudulently than credit cards."
Preparation now can save you big headaches in the long run.
Most women in the newsroom carried their checkbook in their wallet.
Are there preparations people can take now in case their wallet is stolen?
Make a list of all of your credit card numbers and corresponding 800-numbers.
Keep it in a safe place at home. If your wallet is stolen, you'll have those numbers to cancel your cards.
And always, always file a police report. Many banks and even some credit card companies will ask for it.