There is nothing worse than reaching into your pocket or purse and not finding your keys. In an instant, you go from feeling fine to feeling totally powerless. You also feel uncomfortable because there is a possibility that someone now has the ability to break into your car and even your house. Some of us have been able to find our keys simply by retracing our steps. Others have not been so lucky. They had to pay a locksmith to change their car keys and change the locks on their houses.

If you’ve lost your keys before, you know how unsettling the experience can be. But what can you do to increase your chances of getting your lost keys back? Many people think it’s a good idea to put your personal information on your key ring because it will make it easier for someone to return your keys to you. Actually, this is a terrible idea. Why? Because by doing this, you are advertising to the world where you live and possibly inviting trouble into your home.

A smarter option would be a key ID tag. A key identification tag is a small plastic tab that has a barcode or personal identification number on it. You put this tab on your keychain and in case you lose your keys, there are instructions on the back for the finder to drop them off at the nearest US post office box. These key tags must be registered with a key recovery service before they are used. This way, once the keys are sent to the recovery service by mail, the service can look up your information by the identification number and mail the keys to you. This is a safe option because these key tags do not include any personal information. Therefore, you are not a potential victim of identity thieves. You will also not be a target for thieves.

Many key recovery services have affordable rates and can return your keys to you by mail the next business day. If you’re interested in a key recovery service, be sure to research their terms and conditions. You may also want to check their reliability with the Better Business Bureau.