How to Prevent Your Wallet From Being Lost or Stolen

There's nothing worse than reaching for your wallet, only to discover that it's not there. A lost wallet means that your savings and identity could be compromised. As a result, it's in your best interest to do what you can to avoid finding yourself in this situation.

Curious to learn more? Read on to find out how you can prevent a lost or stolen wallet!

Always Place Your Wallet in the Same Place

If you're frequently dealing with a lost wallet, aim to make some simple changes to your routine. And if you don't have a routine, it's time to start one! You may cut down on the amount of time you spend searching for your wallet before you head to work.

Start by determining a secure and recognizable place where you can put your wallet. This may be a dresser in your bedroom or a side countertop in your kitchen.

When you figure out a dependable location, train yourself to put it there all the time. Before you reach for a snack or head to the living room to relax after work, place your wallet in this location.

Get your family members on board to help you with this, too. You could even write yourself a memo reminding you of what you need for the day — and where you put it. Attach this memo to a refrigerator, front door, or another place you are likely to see it during your morning routine.

Just make sure that you don't use your car as that dependable place. Tossing your wallet in a visible area, such as a cup holder or dashboard, makes it an easy target for thieves. As a general practice, avoid leaving valuable items in your car.

Use a Purse or Satchel to Hold Your Wallet

Keeping your wallet in your pants pocket may make it more vulnerable. As a small item, it's too easy to forget about. Sometimes gathering all of your essential daily items and placing them in a purse or bag is a better alternative.

When you carry a satchel, you can include your laptop, keys, and other documents. Plus it's a large enough bag that you'll notice if it's not on your shoulder. The same holds for a purse.

Find a specific compartment that accommodates your wallet. Give preference to internal compartments that are not easy for someone near you to access. And choose a bag with zippers, flaps, and other design elements that help conceal your belongings.

If using a shoulder bag is new for you, practice with a safe daily routine. Give yourself reminders on your phone or as written notes in your car. You'll discover that having your most important belongings within easy reach will be a nice change.

Don't Put All of Your Valuable in the Same Place

Another strategy for avoiding a bigger problem is to separate your valuables. In other words, don't stash your wallet, keys, and license in the same purse. That way if you do happen to deal with a stolen wallet, at least you won't be missing several other items.

This strategy also means that you may not need to carry a bag with you. Put your keys in a deep and secure pants pocket. And only take the bills or credit cards you'll need for a particular outing.

Stash your wallet in a front breast pocket. Or if you are on a family trip, go with a travel wallet. A travel wallet may have a chain or rope attached to it that you can secure to your arm or clothing.

Slide your license or passport into an interior coat pocket. And if you really want to take extra precautions, you could put a few bills in your shoes or socks.

Try Using a Wallet Tracker

A wallet tracker is an easy and discrete way to ensure that your wall can be found. Some trackers look like credit cards, and you just need to slide them into your wallet. Hook the wallet tracker up through an app on your phone or a voice assistant, like Alexa.

A Bluetooth tracker offers a range of up to 500 feet — and a strong sound to alert you to its whereabouts. You can slip it into a travel wallet easily. Or you can put it in a purse or lanyard.

An item tracker is a great option for teenagers, too. For a son or daughter new to carrying a wallet, a wallet finder can give you peace of mind.

Be Cautious in Crowds to Avoid a Stolen Wallet

When you're traveling or attending a concert, you'll want to be extra cautious. With the distractions, noise, and ambiance of a crowded space, it's easy for your wallet to go missing. And when you're bumping into other people, they can unzip a compartment in your bag far too easily — without you knowing.

Wear a backpack or travel pack that is secured to your body. Use drawstring or ropes to anchor it to your waistline or clothing.

Are you short on time or resources? Try using safety pins to add another layer of security to a travel bag that contains your wallet. Simply pin the zipper handle to the fabric of your bag to make a pocket challenging to unzip.

Keep Your Wallet Safe and Secure

With a little planning, you can avoid having a lost or stolen wallet. Always put your wallet in the same place so you know where to look. And consider using a little technology, like a wallet tracker, so you can find a lost wallet more easily.

If you're wondering how you can keep your wallet safe, contact us and we can help!