BENGALURU: Online financial accounts are vulnerable to security theft now more than ever. Even the best procedures cannot prevent all instances of identity theft—especially if the vulnerability lies with you, the customer. Here are critical steps you can take to safeguard your financial accounts and help prevent identity theft as Data breaches can wreak havoc on your finances, according to indiatimes.com.

Safeguard Your Social Security Number:

Always remember not to use your Social Security number as a username, password or PIN and make sure that it does not appear on your printed checks. If your Social Security number appears on your driver's license, be sure to ask your state's Department of Motor Vehicles whether it can use an alternative number. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place and avoid carrying it with you.

Protect Your Smartphones And Tablets:

Considering the latest trend of everything-under-your thumb, it is important to protect the Smartphone. Not just your e-mails and contacts, even your banking app and demat account access is available via the mobile phone. Do not forget to install firewalls and anti-virus for your handheld devices.

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