Today’s advanced technology has made possible for you to do just about anything, in the easiest, most convenient of ways. You don’t need to carry cash for groceries and gasoline. You can do banking and vacation booking online. You can pay for your bills without getting up from your couch. Unfortunately, this ease comes at a price, as your identity is left vulnerable once you access the internet, especially if you are dealing with money matters. There are people lurking in the shadows, waiting for an ambush along the open highways of the internet. Once they gain access to your personal data, nothing can stop them from wrecking havoc on your emails, your personal files, and worst of all, your bank accounts. These online thieves are resilient and will hit back, but you can do something to prevent them from gaining lease on your identity.

Verify your credit report on a regular basis, at least once every year. Check if all the transaction entries in it reflect all of your activities; and if an entry seems suspicious, get in touch with the credit bureaus immediately, and request for a rectification of any errors. Avoid the urge to carry every single piece of incriminating information in your wallet. Remember that you are always vulnerable when you are distracted, and thieves are masters of their trade. At the very least, carry one credit card, with a balance to suffice your purchases. Don’t hesitate to notify your card issuers immediately the moment you lose it.

Be wary of those who solicit personal information either online or by phone. Legit bankers and lenders ask for your information at their office, and not through unsecured mediums. Also, keep your receipts with you, even if you don’t need them. ATM and shopping receipts reveal a lot about your identity, more than you may think. You can dispose of them as soon as you get home, but shred or burn them first. When paying with your credit card, be sure that the swipe is done in your presence, and don’t let it leave your sight. Otherwise it is better to pay with cash rather than with plastic.

Keep track of the credit bills which you expect to arrive through post mail. If the arrival is at least a month overdue, contact your lenders immediately and notify them of the delay. Thieves often pose as other people then call the bank and request for a change in address, in an effort to block the account owner from information about his or her credit activity. Don’t scribble personal information on any sheet; this is a common mistake by most people. You’re leaving crumbs for the thieves to follow. Keep them in a separate notebook, and hide it in a secure place. And remember that you have the right to deny access to your Social Security Number. While it is customary for companies to ask for your SSN, it is by no means compulsory. If they insist, raise a red flag, and do business with another company.