We know what you're thinking, and no, we are not talking about keeping condoms in your wallet. Even though that's a bad idea, keeping this other item in your wallet might be even worse.

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Keeping this item in your wallet might seem convenient, but it also poses serious risks to your personal security and privacy.

Here are 5 reasons why you should never carry this with you:

1. Risk of Loss or Theft:

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The most immediate risk of carrying your Social Security Card in your wallet is the risk of loss or theft. Wallets get misplaced or stolen all the time. If you have your card inside, the person who ends up with your wallet will also have access to your social security number, one of the most sensitive pieces of personal information.

2. Identity Theft:

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With your Social Security number, unscrupulous individuals can impersonate you, open up credit card accounts in your name, apply for loans, and make fraudulent tax claims, among other criminal activities. This could ruin your credit score and take years to rectify.

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3. Difficulty to Replace:

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It's not as easy or quick to replace a lost Social Security Card. The Social Security Administration requires you to provide multiple documents to prove your identity when applying for a replacement card. It also limits the number of replacement cards you can get in a year and in your lifetime.

4. Increased Cybercrime Risk:

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In today's digital age, hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They are capable of accessing your personal data stored electronically in your mobile phone. If you keep photos or scanned copies of your Social Security Card in your mobile device, which you always carry in your wallet, it makes you a more attractive target for cybercriminals.

5. Creates Unnecessary Risk:

Even if your wallet never gets lost or stolen, the very act of carrying around your Social Security Card exposes your information to risk every time you take out your wallet. For example, someone may casually glimpse your Social Security number when you are paying at a store.

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To mitigate these risks, it is advised to store your Social Security Card in a safe and secure place at home or in a safety deposit box at your bank. If you need to provide your social security number, have it memorized or securely stored in a password-protected document. Ultimately, limiting the amount of personal data you carry with you on a daily basis will greatly reduce the chance of your personal information falling into the wrong hands.

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