As more of us now make use of the Internet for the purposes of shopping - from electronic goods to our weekly shop.

But according to research carried out by a group specialising in online identity, many individuals are finding themselves at risk of ‘cyber-crime'

Many threats arrive in the form of threatening e-mails and false accusations, and more than 200,000 cases of financial fraud were reported last year.

And with more of us making use of 0% credit cards in order to afford the festive season, the risk of cyber crime remains a threat to online shoppers who don't take necessary precautions to prevent their details from falling into the wrong hands.

As online banking is on the increase, as well as social networking, more of us could unwittingly be putting our personal details, and our identities, at risk.

But what can you do to help reduce such a risk, and keep your identity and the details of your credit cards and bank account safe from harm?

• Don't reveal personal information, such as date or place of birth, unless it's absolutely necessary.
• Never reveal your PIN number to anyone, and try to memorise it instead of having to write it down.
• If you have more than one account, use a different password for each, using a combination of letters and numbers.
• Keep a close eye on your bank statements and credit card statements, and consider using separate credit cards for transactions at places such as petrol stations and restaurants. Such a method will make it easier to keep track of certain transactions and to spot potential fraud.
• Be wary of phone calls and e-mails that are supposedly from your bank, banks will always write to you regarding any important matters.
• Make a note of the dates when you expect bills to arrive, and notify your bank or credit card provider if you haven't received your statements on time or if you have any suspicions.
• Keep a copy of any transactions that you make on your cards - whether online or in stores - internet banking can help you monitor your spending.
• When buying online, ensure that the site you are buying from has secure payment pages - look for sites which have ‘https://' in the URL.
• Keep an eye on your credit limit, and notify your bank of any noticeable or suspicious changes.

Be sure to keep a regular check on your credit report in order to identify abuse to your credit standing, there are a number of credit reference agencies from which these can be obtained for a small charge.

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