Are you careful enough with your wallet?
Thousands of Americans have their wallets pickpocketed each month. Do you stay vigilant in public spaces? You could be one of them, too!
In fact, we all have at least one acquaintance who’s fallen victim to wallet pickpockets. Theft is most likely to happen in busy, crowded areas if you live in a big city but is also common in quiet surroundings where you let your guard down.
Say you don’t keep huge amounts of cash in there. But the stress of replacing your IDs and going through police reporting is still annoying. You can always avoid losing your wallet by adopting some simple habits that will protect you against pickpockets.
Did you know that the causes of pickpocketing are a wild mix of culture, population, history, level of life, and gap between social classes? While we all understand pickpocketing is unfair, the best thing you can do is pay attention.
That is exactly why today we’re chatting about wallet pickpocketing. Follow on to find out how you can keep your wallet safe effortlessly.
Your Social Security card
As comfy as keeping all your important stuff in one place is, identity theft will change your mind. When wallet pickpockets run into Social Security cards, they’re able to open accounts in your name, like loans, credit, and more. Afterwards, it can take up to 4 weeks for your new card to come in.
This document can even be pickpockets’ number one target in some cases. So, better store your Social Security card somewhere outside your wallet and out of reach. The safest option is placing it in a designated space or pocket that is separate from your wallet.
PIN numbers
We’ve got tons of accounts and shopping cards, and it’s perfectly fine that we cannot remember all those PINs. Nonetheless, do not try to ease your life by physically noting them down or, worse, keeping them inside your wallet!
PIN numbers generally mark the owner’s access into their accounts. So, now the wallet pickpocket has their hands on both your cards AND the access PINs. You might be in big trouble when your bank doesn’t even recognize suspicious activity because hey, they’ve got the PIN right.
Instead, why not easily create a password-protected list on your phone, where you can store all your passwords and PIN numbers? If not on the phone, then it must be digital.
Careful, though! Digital does not mean online. We recommend finding an offline option for storing notes so that it is impossible to break via the internet.
Spare keys
If you carry spare keys, then you’re so proactively prepared – we love that!
Let’s shift that spirit to your proactive safety as well. Surely, you wouldn’t want to invite your wallet pickpocket into your home after all they’ve done already. But keeping spare keys in or near your wallet gives them yet another opportunity to strike.
When questioning, just think of the worst: you could’ve been followed home. Or, it comes from someone close who already knows your movements and where you live. We know it’s crude, but it is what’s happening without awareness.
All in all, try to find different spots for your spare keys if you’d rather not give your pickpocket a free entry.
Birth certificate
When it goes so well hand in hand with your Social Security card and PINs, pickpockets will take advantage of your birth certificate as well.
In fact, you can even land in JAIL if your details are used for illegal purposes. Better leave your birth certificate at home since you most likely won’t need it on a daily basis. It’s all good if you store it in a safe, designated spot alongside other important documents and belongings, like in your secured cupboard drawers or locked cabinets.
And if you do happen to need it on the day, carry it carefully in your bags, away from your wallet.
Blank checks
There’s personal info on your checks, even if blank. When you pair these with other very accessible details in your wallet, like your Social Security number, your driver’s license number, your name and address, it’s almost guaranteed that pickpockets will do something stupid in your name.
Depending on the type of account or loan, the wallet pickpocket will have enough information to do much more harm — beyond just your wallet.
So, use a credit card instead for safety reasons whenever you can. Checks can come in handy sometimes, but carrying physical transaction documents is extremely risky for many reasons!
If you’re reluctant or not comfortable with your banking services and apps, make sure to reach out to your bank or a banking specialist that can tell you more. Making the switch can essentially protect your accounts in case of theft.
Safely dispose of blank checks or any checks by destroying the details instead of just throwing them out.
Unnecessary credit cards
If you’re carrying extra credit cards you rarely use, it’s time for you to leave those elsewhere. Play safe and do not challenge wallet pickpockets to leave you broke.
Plus, if you’re adamant about having those unnecessary credit cards on you, you’ll have no choice but to make a few extra phone calls to freeze accounts you barely use.
We’ve got so many credit cards, we can’t keep up. I can’t even remember how many of them I’ve got in my name — do you? But I know I’d go insane if I were in debt just because I forgot to report every.single.one of my credit cards that I randomly had on me!
Instead, it’s recommended you keep an extra wallet at home, where you can safely store all those countless unnecessary credit cards. Grab them with you when you do need to use them, like when going shopping only, and so on.
Receipts and invoices
Similar to checks, receipts and invoices show details of your account. While it’s true that receipts show card numbers partially, they can become an important piece of the puzzle for wallet pickpockets.
Even in the absence of credit cards and other valuable documents the wallet pickpocket doesn’t find, receipts and invoices can be a clever way of deciphering your whereabouts, shopping habits, and movements.
Provided you need to keep receipts and invoices for work or tax, go ahead and create a designated receipt folder in your bag. If you plan on storing them for a long time, you can look into digitalizing your receipts and invoices. This way your documents are both safe and easily accessible.
Takeaway lessons
Wallet pickpocketing can happen to anyone. The statistics show that you’re specifically at high risk if you live in a big city or densely populated area.
Now that we do know what to keep and what to avoid keeping in our wallets, make sure you still stay vigilant to other types of theft when in public. Better safe than sorry!
Last but not least: Do make copies of everything you always keep in your wallet. If you follow these tips, you’ll be safe but not protected against the strain of replacing everything.Â
You will love this tracker wallet made to keep you and your details safe!
If you found this useful, why not read on: 6 Strange Things You Should Always Carry in Your Wallet.
