| It would seem that the computer is becoming a | | | | |
| bigger and bigger part of our lives each and | | | | Identity theft has now become so prevalent |
| every day. There's good reason for that | | | | that thieves are rifling through garbage to |
| perception... it's true. One specific area | | | | attain any information that they can use to |
| that is becoming incredibly popular is online | | | | steal from their unsuspecting victims. With |
| banking. Customers love it because it is very | | | | this said, there are some simple, common |
| convenient and a great time saver. The banks | | | | sense approaches that will go along way to |
| love it because it automates a great many | | | | securing personal bank information. |
| functions for them and cuts down on their | | | | |
| overhead. | | | | 1. Do not share your passwords with anyone. |
| | | | |
| The number one concern of anyone that deals | | | | 2. Keep important documents locked in a safe |
| with online banking should be security. | | | | or safety deposit box. |
| Putting your personal information over the | | | | |
| Internet can be risky, there is no denying | | | | 3. Shred documents that you no longer need. |
| that. Fraud and identity theft have become | | | | |
| huge problems in the modern age. There are | | | | 4. If you bank online, make sure your bank is |
| any number of hackers and thieves out there | | | | using a secure, encrypted site (It's OK to |
| in cyberspace just waiting to prey on | | | | ask what security features they employ). |
| innocent people. | | | | |
| | | | 5. When using an ATM make sure no one can see |
| Fortunately for us, the financial | | | | the codes you enter. |
| institutions of the world are very aware of | | | | |
| this problem and are working aggressively to | | | | These are a just a few of the things that can |
| combat it. There was a time when a bank's | | | | be done to keep banking information secure |
| chief security concern was whether they would | | | | and avoiding possible crimes against you. |
| be robbed or not. I think we've all seen the | | | | While many of these seem to be glaringly |
| old movies about Bonnie & Clyde, John | | | | obvious, all to many times they are taken for |
| Dillinger and the like... to say nothing of | | | | granted or just plain ignored. It is at these |
| the daring train robberies of the wild west. | | | | times when the criminals are at their best. |
| Now banks face a new and much deadlier | | | | Individuals that grow careless and complacent |
| challenge than ever before, and instead of | | | | are exactly what they look for. Don't be |
| wearing a mask and using a gun, the bad guys | | | | counted as one of the them. |
| are now invisible and use keyboards. | | | | |