Don't carry your Social Security card or number in your wallet or purse. Keep your card somewhere safe at home. Never give your personal information to someone who calls you and asks for it. Thieves can try to trick you into giving them all or part of your number online or on the phone.
Your Social Security card is not an identification document and, in many situations, you only need to know your Social Security number (you do not need to show the physical card). Do You Need to Show Your Social Security Card? You do not need your Social Security card, you only need to know your Social Security number.
Sullivan says your Social Security card and any identification or documents that include your Social Security number are perfect examples of what not to keep in your wallet. Those nine digits could make it easier for a fraudster to open loans or credit card accounts in your name.
Lock away your Social Security card: Your Social Security card belongs in a fireproof safe in your home, not in your wallet. Why? Because if someone stole your wallet, he'd be able to steal your identity, too. And don't leave your card or any other personal information sitting out where others can see it.
Stash your SSN in a digital storage system known as an encrypted vault. Set up strong online passwords to help stop crooks from swiping your SSN and other digitally stored information. Look into a virtual private network, which can encrypt your internet traffic and funnel your online activity through a VPN server.
Leave Your Card at Home
Don't carry your Social Security card around with you in your wallet or purse. Don't enter your SSN into your phone, laptop, or other devices. It would be rare for you to need your card.
Carry $100 to $300
"We would recommend between $100 to $300 of cash in your wallet, but also having a reserve of $1,000 or so in a safe at home," Anderson says. Depending on your spending habits, a couple hundred dollars may be more than enough for your daily expenses or not enough.
Submerge the wallet in a bowl of lukewarm water—warm enough to relax the leather fibers but not so hot as to cause damage—for about 8-10 minutes. Immersing the wallet in tepid water does wonders, softening it up just right for a snug fit around your cards again.
Should you carry your Social Security card in your wallet? The short answer is no. We don't advise carrying such vital documents in your wallet. Drawing from our experience, this can potentially lead to identity theft and other security issues.
You should only keep items you need in your wallet, like your driver's license, credit and debit cards, and your health insurance card. On the other hand, you should avoid carrying items like your Social Security card and your birth certificate with you unless you need other forms of ID.
Print an application and fill it out, then take the application and documents to the Social Security office. Your new card will be mailed directly to you. Depending on your situation, you may be able to apply for a replacement card online.
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.
Depending on where you are visiting, it may not be a good idea to keep your passport on you at all times since the document is too important. You can travel with the passport wallet, then put it away when you're at your destination and use only a standard wallet until a passport wallet is needed.
Your name and address is securely stored by the partner bank and Apple Payments Inc., but any additional information that you're asked to provide — such as Social Security number, date of birth, answers to questions (e.g., confirm street name you have previously lived on), or a copy of your government ID — can't be ...
While it is legal to keep as much as money as you want at home, the standard limit for cash that is covered under a standard home insurance policy is $200, according to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
What types of bills should I carry in my wallet? It's best to focus on carrying $20 bills as your main currency, as these are flexible for most transactions. A few $5 and $10 bills can also come in handy for smaller purchases.
YOU ARE ALLOWED TO CARRY AS MUCH CASH AS YOU WANT OUT OF AND INTO THE UNITED STATES. To summarize up front: no, you are not restricted to traveling with sums of $10,000 or less. In fact, you could travel with a checked bag stuffed to the brim with cash — as long as you declare the amount beforehand.
Identity Theft: If you think an identity thief is using your SSN to work or to collect benefits, call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. If you think someone may be using your SSN to work, check your Social Security Personal Earnings and Benefit Statement.
Locking your Social Security number helps prevent thieves from using your personal information against you or to commit fraud. Even if they access your SSN, they won't be able to use it to change certain government records or employment.
The final set of four digits is the Serial Number.
A safe deposit box is perfect for storing original documents, like birth certificates, wills, social security information, annual tax returns, and power of attorney.
Anyone with an SSN or an ITIN can get an IP PIN including individuals living abroad.
Breach Details
According to National Public Data, a malicious actor gained access to their systems in December 2023 and leaked sensitive data onto the dark web from April 2024 to the summer of 2024. This data contained the following details: Full names. Social Security Numbers.