Federal officials want you to take a proactive approach to guarding your identity, and for many, it begins with something you carry every day.

Each day when we head out to work or out for a night on the town, the wallet is coming with us. Sure, some people only use apps on their phones now, but when you have to carry a drivers license, insurance card, credit/debit cards, and even cash, the wallet is still being used by most people.

Face it, we carry a lot of information about ourselves in our wallets. And some of us maybe carry too much information that can be used to steal our identity. That's where the feds come in with a warning to those who may carry their social security card with them. In short, don't do it.

You Shouldn't Carry Your Social Security Card With You

According to the Social Security Administration, your Social Security card isn't like your drivers license. You don't need it everyday and your card needs to be stored somewhere safe.

It's very rare to have to share your social security number. That's why it's a good idea to memorize the number, but keeping the card in your wallet is really taking a risk. For example, what if you leave your wallet somewhere and it goes missing? Or even worse, what if it is stolen?

This can lead to a stolen identity and no one wants to deal with that. According to the Social Security Office, it's best to "Guard Your Card".

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.

The SSA also encourages you not to carry documents that have your number on them.

News/Talk 95.1 & 790 KFYO logo
Get our free mobile app

Mexican Cartels in the Lone Star State

Cartels are a reality of life in Texas. With our proximity to the Mexico border, the presence of cartels and drug trafficking were inevitable.

But which cartels have staked out their claim in Texas? Take a look below.

Gallery Credit: Sarah Clark

10 National Historic Landmarks You Can Visit in Texas

If you want to take a road trip to see some of the greatest & historic national landmarks in Texas, there are many to choose from. Here's some to plan on seeing in the future.

Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus

The Most Fun Adventures Found in Texas

If you're wanting to do something exciting while you're in Texas, you should tackle one of these adventures.

Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins

 

More From News/Talk 95.1 & 790 KFYO