What to Keep in Your Wallet to Minimize Identity Theft

Identity thieves turn to increasingly high tech methods to get at your personal information, but the good old wallet swipe still works like a charm too. What you keep in your wallet or purse will determine how much damage can be done, as well as how much hassle you’ll go through to replace everything. Here are some tips on what to keep in your wallet and what to leave at home to protect yourself against identity theft.

#1 - Keep driver’s license

"A driver’s license is the most universally accepted and trusted photo identification card issued by government," advises the government of Alberta. It not only proves you can drive " it also proves your age, your address, and in certain provinces, your signature. It’s almost too valuable to leave in your wallet – but the police officer who pulled you over for speeding won’t be very impressed if you explain that you don’t carry your driver’s license due to privacy concerns.

Instead, the Alberta government recommends that you guard your driver’s license closely. If you lose it, notify the authorities immediately and get a replacement. Since driver’s licenses are issued by individual provinces and territories, find your local transportation ministry or insurance corporation from this list to get a new one. In most cases, you will need to pay a fee and provide several other identity documents.

#2: Leave birth certificate

A birth certificate is a primary document, a proof of identity that lets you obtain other proofs of identity, like a driver’s license or a health card. But it really carries no day-to-day purpose. The bartender, for example, isn’t going to give you a beer when you flash him your birth certificate. The solution here is easy. Your birth certificate needs to stay at home in a secure place, like a safe.

If you lose your birth certificate, Service Canada has a list to show which ministry in your province can issue a new one for you. Ontario allows you to do the whole process online, while Manitoba cites security concerns and asks for mail or fax only. You will need to pay a replacement fee in either case.

#3: Keep health card

Although not as widely accepted as a driver’s license, the photo, information and signature on most Canadians’ health cards makes them valuable pieces of ID as well. And since you never know when you might end up in an emergency room or a doctor’s office, this is one identity document that should be kept in your wallet or purse.

Like driver’s licenses and birth certificates, health cards are a provincial responsibility. Service Canada also provides a list of provincial health care ministries if you need to get a new health card. Be sure to check beforehand which identity documents they require to issue you a new card. Some provinces, such as British Columbia, also require you to pay a fee.

#4: Leave Social Insurance number (SIN card)

The Alberta government has good advice for you, no matter which province or territory you live in. "Don’t carry your SIN card in your wallet, purse or car," they advise. "Keep it in a secure place like a safety deposit box."

Your SIN card is valuable, and it takes a lot of work to make sure a lost card doesn’t destroy your credit due to identity theft. If your SIN is lost or stolen, Service Canada recommends you:

• Notify the authorities, and note the officer’s name and telephone number, as well as the case reference number.
• Monitor your bills and statements. If anything seems wrong, contact your bank immediately.
• Call Canada’s national credit bureaus, Equifax at 1-800-465-7166 and TransUnion at 1-866-525-0262 to get a free copy of your credit report. Make sure there is no suspicious activity. You may also want to ask the bureaus to flag your file as being at risk for fraud.

To get another SIN card, you will need to provide the federal government with a primary document, such as your birth certificate. You will also need supporting documents if your name has changed. Although you can apply by mail, why risk sending important identity documents? Visit the closest Service Canada Centre and apply in person.

More important tips on wallet safety

• Don’t keep every credit card you have in your wallet or purse. Only keep the ones you use regularly.
• Photocopy your identity documents and keep them in a safe place (even your birth certificate and SIN card, which should be in a safe place anyway). If you need to replace everything again, photocopies will come in handy.
• Obtain your free credit report regularly to make sure someone hasn’t scanned or copied one of your documents and made a mess of your credit.