Carrying Minimal Personal Information

This is an easy secret: The less personal information you carry, the less personal information an identity thief can steal from you. The following sections discuss some simple measures you can

Do not carry your Social Security Card

Don't under any circumstances ever carry your Social Security Card in your wallet or purse. Lose your wallet or purse — or worse, have it stolen — and you lose your Social Security Card. Your SSN is an important identifier in our society; the number can be sold or used by anyone once they have your card.

The only time you need to carry your Social Security Card is when you start a new job (so that the Human Resources department can photocopy it). After you return home from your first day at a new job, take your Social Security Card out of your wallet or purse and place it in the fireproof safe where you keep your other important documents for safekeeping.

Be stingy with your SSN. Nobody but the government has a lawful reason to request your SSN. You don't have to give your SSN to any business that asks for it, except when completing a credit application, or for verification purposes your first day on a new job.