Every year, around 16 million Americans fall prey to identity theft. This type of crime often occurs online, and typically happens due to the exchange of payment information between a gambler/bettor and an online service provider such as a sportsbook.
The good news is that protecting your online identity is simple and can be ensured by using only a few tried and tested strategies.
What Is Identity Theft?
Online identity theft occurs much in the same way as what it would if someone were to steal your wallet.
Thieves often make use of spyware software to access your computer or mobile phone. Spyware is dangerous because it can be used without detection. By using spyware, cyber criminals can monitor your every move as well as gain access to sensitive financial information.
This is why it’s so important to use only reputable online sportsbooks.
Below are just some of the steps you can follow to protect your identity and financial information from internet criminals when live betting on sports.
Use Only Trustworthy Bookies
While this may seem obvious to many, it remains a pitfall.
The easiest way to spot a scamming sportsbook is to look out for markets that are clearly simply too good to be true.
Before signing up and placing a bet, check out the sportsbook before the time. The internet is full of valuable peer-to-peer reviews that will instantly help you to spot the scammers.
Never Share Your Log-In Info
Under no circumstances whatsoever should you ever share your sportsbook log-in information with anybody else.
This is one of the most common ways for people to steal the identity and financial information of others. In this regard, trust nobody.
Also, be sure to never write down your sportsbook log-in information. There’s always a chance that this information will be discovered and used to steal from you.
Keep Your Credit Card Info Safe
Whenever possible, try to avoid revealing your full credit card information during the process of identity verification.
Most sportsbooks will be able to verify your credit card details by using only the last four digits of your account.
Safeguard Your Connection
Whenever you’re using any sportsbook to place a bet, make sure you’re doing so via a safe and secure internet connection. To this end, try and avoid using a shared or public internet connection.
When using your own internet connection at home, if possible, make use of an Ethernet cable instead of a standard Wi-Fi connection.
If you find yourself in a position of having only a Wi-Fi connection available, then be sure to turn on all the available security features. This will make your connection a lot more safe and secure.
Avoid Using The Same Password
Using a different and unique password for each of your sportsbook accounts will make it only that much more difficult for cyber criminals to get their hands on your financial information.
By using a unique password for every sight, you’ll restrict the possible damage a thief can impose on you.