In our tech-savvy world, everything is readily accessible and convenient…even banking. Gone are the days of waiting in line at the bank or even waiting for your computer to boot up. Now you can access your bank account from anywhere in the world via your smart phone or tablet.

But consumers need to be more cautious than ever when banking through any device, as hackers can prey on the unsuspecting, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona warns. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation, part of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, offers these five tips on how to keep your identity safe and your money in the bank:

Password-protect your phone or tablet so that only you can access the information on your device. This will help protect you if your phone or tablet is ever lost or stolen.

Never provide personal information unless you initiate contact with your bank or other financial institution. Financial institutions should not request account numbers, Social Security numbers or other sensitive information through email or text messages. If you’re not sure about a request, contact your bank by calling the number on the back of your debit or credit card.

Don’t stay “auto-logged in” to your accounts. Even though it’s convenient, it increases the risk that an unauthorized user will access your accounts.

Delete old texts from your bank to reduce your exposure to fraud.

Report lost or stolen devices immediately to your wireless provider and financial institutions.

Read more from FINRA about how to protect your money.

Thieves have come to love the accessibility and convenience of gift cards just as much as harried shoppers.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning of a scam that stems from the wide array of gift cards many retailers – from super markets to convenience stores – display at their check out lines. For the experienced thief, these displays make for easy spoils.

Here’s how it works: A thief goes into a store, hunts down the gift card racks, and writes down numbers from the backs of the cards. They wait a few days and call the 800 number listed on the card to see if it has been activated. When they find one that is, the con artist heads over to the store’s website and starts shopping.

What’s a consumer to do?

• Ask the clerk for a card from behind the counter or buy it from the customer service desk.
• Don’t solely rely on getting your card from inaccessible stock as protection. Examine both sides of the card yourself; look for signs of tampering: make sure protective stickers aren’t pulled off or the card’s scratch off pin number isn’t exposed. If you suspect tampering, give it back to the clerk.
• Immediately after purchasing the card ask the cashier to scan it to ensure that it’s valid and holds the purchased value. This protects you against another variation of this scam in which the con swaps a valid card for his/her zero-balance card.
• Keep your receipt as proof of purchase for as long as you or your recipient has value stored on the card. Not all retailers will issue you a replacement, but some may. Be sure to ask about the replacement policy before you purchase the card.
• If you already have a gift card, call the number on the back and check the balance. If you find you’re a victim, report it to the retailer.
• Some stores give you the option of registering your gift card at their website. This allows you to check the card’s balance online and catch any misuse of the card before your balance has dwindled to nothing.

For more information contact the BBB of Southern Arizona at www.tucson.bbb.org, 520-888-5353 or 800-696-2828 outside the Tucson Metro area.

Even if you’re cautious about which ATMs you use or stores you shop at, you could still become a victim of identity theft. ATM skimming is a growing problem and the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona recommends that consumers take steps to protect themselves from becoming a victim.

There are a number of ways thieves steal a Personal Identification Number (PIN). In some cases, thieves or accomplice employees can swap out the entire PIN pad with one that captures data. Once a consumer swipes their card through the fake card reader, their account information is sent to the scammer, leaving the consumer vulnerable to I.D. theft. In addition, thieves may use hidden cameras attached near a machine to record the consumer’s hand movements to obtain their personal identification number.

“Beware of suspicions looking individuals, or devices that may have been tampered with,” said Kim States, BBB President. “Always be on the look out for strange activity on your account and check it regularly.”

Consumers who use bank cards are encouraged to monitor their statements, report suspicious account activity and change debit-card PIN numbers and other account security settings.

BBB recommends the following ways to fight identity thieves when using a debit or credit card:

• Protect your PIN – When entering your PIN, cover the keypad with your other hand to prevent any cameras from catching your digits. False keypads placed over the real keypad are also a way scammers get PIN numbers so if the keypad looks different, move on.
• Keep an eye on your statements – The most vigilant person can still fall victim to ATM skimmers, and it’s important to always keep a close eye on your accounts—particularly the itemized breakdown of charges and debits—so that you can quickly report any suspicious activity on your account.
• Report fraud immediately – Report any fraudulent activity to your bank as soon as you discover it. Consumer protections for debit cards vary but depend largely on when you report the fraudulent activity and sooner is always better. If you wait too long to report the fraud, your bank account could be cleaned out and your bank may not reimburse you.

For more advice on fighting identity theft and preventing fraud, visit www.tucson.bbb.org