Comments on: Reader suggestion: Put membership numbers on cell phone

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:17:26 +0000

iPhone users – I very highly recommend
http://agilewebsolutions.com/products/1Password

It can store any information you wish in encrypted form on your computer, which then very simply synchronises with your phone. I use to remember bank accounts, credit card numbers, memership numbers, etc. Superb!

By: jason

jason — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:23:49 +0000

slimmy…nice

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:52:00 +0000

I started doing this after a recent lost-wallet scare (it turned out that my wallet wasn’t lost, it had just fallen out of my purse inside my house; but if it really had been, I would have had a hard time first figuring out who all I needed to call, and then tracking down the correct phone numbers.) I do the same as Charles, push the number down to the bottom of my phone list with a z at the beginning.

I also put in numbers I may need for short-term situations, and remove them afterwards – hotel, shuttle and taxi in destination cities when I’m traveling, for example, listed by city or event name so they’re all grouped together.

By: Will

Will — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:38:04 +0000

Recently, I had a problem with a password to my Earthlink account being divulged.

One of the security tips the agents told me was to NOT store my passwords/sensitive data on my cell phone.

By: Christopher Stogdill

Christopher Stogdill — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:37:53 +0000

One thing I do sometimes is write my Pin number down on cards…well kind of.

I have a 4 digit “code” that I use to encrypt my pin numbers. I use something simple, like add the number to my code to equal the pin, either using individual numbers or the whole pin (if my code is 1234 and the number on the card is 2345 then my pin could be 3579). You could also use a subtractive method. Whatever method you use I’d be consistent.

As a plus…if the idiot who tries to use your card in an ATM gets the code wrong too many times, which he’s bound to do, the card will get sucked into the machine.

By: Charlene

Charlene — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:15:52 +0000

@Gayle. Thanks for the concern! No, my student ID # is a line of gibberish, not my social security number. I have my SSN memorized, so no need to jot that one down!

By: Katharine

Katharine — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:17:43 +0000

I take the low tech option, too, since I’ve lost my cell phone before. I typed and printed membership numbers onto card stock, then cut to business card size. I travel a lot for work, and don’t always know which hotels are in which clubs, so this leaves me with all the hotel/travel club numbers, without the cards. I store the actual cards in my rolodex at work, so I can flip right to them while making the reservations, if needed.

By: Ricky

Ricky — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:40:07 +0000

@Craig – If you lose your cell phone, you may want to think about Backup Assistant. For VZW customers, it’s a free service to subscribe to that remotely backs up all your contacts. That way if you lose your phone, they will automatically download to your replacement phone.

By: Dustin Boston

Dustin Boston — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:36:30 +0000

@Erin & Charles – Or you could just categorize them as “Memberships” if you have a SmartPhone or PDA.

@Celeste – That’s a great idea! I wish I would have seen it sooner!

@Lucas – These days phone = wallet. I’ve got a little thin leather thing that I always keep in my pocket with my phone. I think that thing is where cash used to go, whatever that is. Now it holds my check cards and drivers license. I suppose if your phone gets stolen you’re screwed. Just like if you lose your wallet.

I use an app called SplashId for my PDA. It’s not the best password manager for a PDA, I prefer KeePass but either work great. They encrypt passwords, id’s, and credit card numbers and store them in a secure way so that you always have em with you.

By: Suzyn

Suzyn — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:15:44 +0000

Another good thing to keep handy in your phone or all on one card in your wallet: phone numbers for EVERY doctor your family sees. Your children’s pediatrician, your mother’s cardiologist… Hopefully you’ll never need them, but it’s worth it to have them with you.

In fact, memorize your pediatrician’s phone number. You’ll be glad you did.

By: Maciek

Maciek — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:27:40 +0000

Additionally to all membership card numbers I store phone numbers to the bank and credit card companies just in case my wallet would be stolen – to cancel them in time (knock on wood, up to now I did not have to use it)

I actually also store credit card details in case I do not have my wallet on me and need to use it for online purchases – I keep those in password protected application called Mobile Secretary – unfortunately not a freeware but not expensive, simple and nice. It can be also used for user accounts, passwords, PIN codes, etc.

By: Gayle

Gayle — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:59:55 +0000

Most membership cards these days seem to be tied to your phone number or email address, so I guess I don’t really get the benefit of this. But if it makes you feel better, by all means…

@Charlene–don’t schools still use a student’s SSN as their ID#? Doesn’t seem like this would be a smart number to keep in your phone.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:04:19 +0000

Another easy way to keep all those membership cards under control is to place all the bar codes on one card. The Instructables website give step-by-step directions:
http://www.instructables.com/i.....code-Hack/

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:35:44 +0000

Several months ago, I purchased a business card holder and put all of my club cards in it. I keep the holder in my car, so when I’m running errands, I bring it into the store with me and scan the needed card.

One of those small wallet photo books would work, too!

By: Lucas

Lucas — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:59:39 +0000

Am I the only one that thinks this is a bad idea? What if your phone is stolen?