Ways to Prevent Online Fraud and Identity Theft

Here are the things you can do to prevent online theft in the first place:
Protect Your Passwords- Use a different password for each online account. Keep them protected using an a good password manager.The most secure passwords contain at least 12 characters a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Use ups- Debit and credit card information is always being stolen. I prefer to use upa payments via BHIM or Paytm for most of my transactions.  Digital payment is king!
Never Give Information to Unsolicited Callers-Although there are some legitimate businesses that sell over the phone, many are fraudulent.
Keep Your Smartphone Protected- Use an antivirus app. Also use a password lock and a data deleting app that you can access from a computer if your phone is stolen.  Only download apps from a trusted app store.
Secure Your WiFi at Home- Use secure encryption on your home network so that it can’t be easily hacked.
Don’t Click the Links- If an email is suspicious, don’t click any links. If you do click a link, run a full scan with your antivirus software ASAP.
Keep Your Operating System Up to Date- Keep your OS and web browser up to date. Enabling automatic updates in your settings achieves this very well without having to constantly do it yourself.
Use a Firewall and Antivirus Software- You can also set these up for automatic scans to consistently keep your computer clean from viruses and other problems.
Check Your Bank Accounts Frequently- The more often you check your accounts, the more likely you are to spot suspicious activity quickly.
Only Buy From Online Retailers You Trust-There are tons of scam sites out there offering incredibly low prices on desirable items. If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Never Use a Public Network When Accessing Sensitive Information- Wait to get onto a secure network before checking your bank account or accessing other private information.
Use an Identity Protection Service- Services such as Life Lock and Identity Guard can provide constant monitoring and keep you protected if your identity is compromised.
Delete Suspicious Emails- When you get a suspicious email, completely delete it from your computer.
Don’t reveal Your Aadhar details – Keep it safe. You will almost never need to reveal the Aadhar details to unauthorised persons.
Shred Important Documents- Some people will search through your trash for important documents. Shredding them provides extra security.