Only use your cards with businesses that are familiar to you, and review receipts before signing them.

Only use your cards with businesses that are familiar to you, and review receipts before signing them.

Photo: Igor Zhorov

Only use your cards with businesses that are familiar to you,... Photo-5493028.77644 - StamfordAdvocate

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Be aware of your surroundings. If you are using your card at a dimly-lit ATM, consider waiting to use another.

Be aware of your surroundings. If you are using your card at a dimly-lit ATM, consider waiting to use another.

Photo: Mark Lennihan

Be aware of your surroundings . If you are using your card at a... Photo-3502357.77644 - StamfordAdvocate

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.77644 - StamfordAdvocate

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When shopping online, check for the "s" in the URL - it should read "https://" instead of "http://." The extra "s" means the site uses an encryption to scramble your information, which makes it more difficult to steal. less

When shopping online, check for the "s" in the URL - it should read "https://" instead of "http://." The extra "s" means the site uses an encryption to scramble your information, which makes it more difficult ... more

Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

When shopping online, check for the "s" in the URL - it... Photo-4626054.77644 - StamfordAdvocate

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When shopping online and using a log-in and password, make sure your password is unique and strong with a mix of numbers and letters.

When shopping online and using a log-in and password, make sure your password is unique and strong with a mix of numbers and letters.

Photo: Gary Friedman, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

When shopping online and using a log-in and password, make sure... Photo-4821049.77644 - StamfordAdvocate

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Try to avoid shopping online from your phone, and make sure to stay away from entering passwords and personal information when utilizing public Wi-Fi.

Try to avoid shopping online from your phone, and make sure to stay away from entering passwords and personal information when utilizing public Wi-Fi.