Expert Warning: Never Carry These 7 Items in Montana

The world can be a dangerous place, and protecting your personal information is crucial for Montanans. Here are a few items that you should never carry in your wallet in Montana.

7 ITEMS YOU SHOULD NEVER CARRY WITH YOU IN MONTANA

Identity theft and credit card fraud are two major issues facing Montana residents. According to the Federal Trade Commision, identity theft often tops the list of consumer fraud reports that are filed each year. Most of the time, identity theft is preventable, but you need to know how to protect yourself.

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Most people have experienced losing their wallet at least once. When it happens, you need to cancel your credit cards and debit cards immediately. If you don't, you might end up with a few unexpected charges on your monthly statement. A few summers ago, I lost my wallet while floating the Yellowstone River. Fortunately, I wasn't carrying anything in my wallet that potential criminals would be interested in.

If you carry a wallet in your back pocket or purse, there are a few items that you shouldn't carry, according to experts. New data about identity theft was recently released, and it doesn't look good.

There were 1.108 million reports of identity theft in 2022. 805,000 instances of identity theft have been reported from January through September 2023.

The numbers for credit card fraud weren't much better.

Credit card fraud was the most common type of identity theft in 2022, with 440,666 reports. 318,087 credit card fraud reports have been filed in the first three quarters of 2023.

Carrying certain items in your wallet can make it easier for thieves to steal your personal information or drain your bank account.