If you are using a credit card, you are at risk for theft every time you give out your card number. Although experts agree that using a credit card is far safer for online shopping than a debit card (credit cards hold extra protection against fraud, but debit cards don’t), you still need to take care. One way to avoid problems in this area is to buy a virtual credit card. These prepaid gift cards are the best way to go because they come with a preset limit, which you have already paid, whether that be $10 or $500. There is no way for anyone to spend more than the limit, even if they steal your number. Virtual cards also offer special online shopping protection.

Bank account numbers, passport or other ID numbers and passwords should never be kept on your computer. Some websites utilize spyware to enter your computer and search out this information to be sent back to unscrupulous people, allowing them to rob your identity. Instead, keep this information on a burned CD or a USB memory stick which you can remove easily. Better yet, just write it down in a handy notepad that you keep beside your desk. Hackers haven’t yet figured out how to get to offline materials!

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