Money News
Losing your wallet can cost you more than your spare change. In fact, over 46 million Brits (93% of the adult population) leave home everyday carrying enough information to allow a crafty criminal to steal their identity according to new research by Capital One.
The credit card provider says driving licences, bank statements and medical records are just a few of the personal details that we are carrying around in our wallets everyday which, if in the wrong hands, can leave us vulnerable to identity theft.
With identity theft on the rise it is calling on Brits to reconsider what they carry around in their wallets. No longer should we be primarily concerned about losing our spare change, but should take steps to ensure we are protecting our identities.
When asked what personal information we carry in our wallets, the research showed: 43.5 million people carry around credit and/or debit cards; 24.5 million of us carry around their driving licence; 23.5 million carry old receipts; 1 million of us keep bank statements in our wallets; 4 million carry around medical cards/records; 8 million keep business cards in our wallets and 1.5 million carry around payslips.
By using a common sense approach, people can protect their wallets and themselves:
In the event of losing or having your wallet stolen, immediately contact your card issuers to cancel credit and debit cards.
Avoid carrying your passport or driving licence with you as a matter of course, and if you do lose them, or have them stolen, notify the issuing body as soon as possible.
Don't carry receipts or bank statements in your wallet - either file them away securely or dispose of them by shredding.
Get regular copies of your personal credit file from a credit reference agency so you can be sure you have not fallen victim to ID theft.
20 July 2007 © Moneyextra.com
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