Signing up for mobile billing or conducting financial transaction via your phone still leaves people with security concerns. This is a new trend after all and many mobile users want to test the waters before they dive in. Or rather, let others test the waters while they watch from side lines. When it comes to protecting our finances, we are very careful and sometimes unnecessarily suspicious or paranoid about new technology. And who can blame us! We hear horror stories about people losing their money to cheats and scammers almost daily. Mobile billing and transaction might very well still have a few kinks to sort out, but the good news is that you can have control over your own security. Here are a few tips on how to keep safe when combining your phone with your financial transactions. 1.Only download applications from a trustworthy source Hongkiat.com warns not to simply download from the first application store you find “as there can sometimes be other third-party developers who will create apps tied to online stores that are not exactly affiliated”. The best course of action is to check app reviews and ratings first to determine if the application is trustworthy. Also look for a native app as these are usually less buggy than mobile websites. 2.Use passwords to protect your mobile device If you regularly receive mobile bills or pay for shopping with your phone, it is advisable to have passwords on your phone. Your mobile device could get lost or stolen and the last thing you want is for someone to gain access to your accounts. It might not work so well if you are a forgetful person, but it is a case of rather being safe than sorry. 3.Use secure internet connections when sending data When transferring your personal information online, it is easy to become the victim of identity theft or fraud. If the site doesn't have a HTTPS connection, don’t use it for financial transactions. Look for that padlock icon appearing with the URL on the site – it indicates that the data passing between your phone and the server is secure. Lastly, keep an eye on your bank account and carefully read any alerts sent to you regarding your mobile billing and transaction. If you see any unauthorised transactions taking place or if something doesn’t feel right, take action immediately. About the author: Thalia Brüssow is a copywriter for the WASP Integrat Mobile Aggregation Services, freelance journalist and also works with online reputation management and social media in South Africa.
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