Your BIGshop account and other online account you hold may contain personal information so it is important to make sure your account does not fall into the wrong hands. Using common sense, monitoring your account status and protecting your personal information is the best way to safeguard your account.

• Safeguard your online account details by following this simple advice:
• Keep separate passwords for each online account.
• Use a unique password which is difficult to guess. A random combination of letters and numbers is best.
• Look for the Lock. The lock symbol in your browser's Status Bar and "https" in the Address Bar show that you've got a secure connection. Look for it any time you're about to engage in a financial transaction. The lock isn't a guarantee of security, but its absence is a guarantee of NO security.
• Change your password regularly (at least every three months).
• Keep your computer’s anti-virus, anti-spam and other security software up to date.
• Never email any personal information like your account details (username and password) or bank account numbers.
• Never provide your BIGshop username and password to non-BIGshop sites.
• Never download email attachments sent by someone you do not know.
• Monitor your online account statements regularly and if you spot any suspicious activity notify officials.
• Think Outside the Box. Don't believe everything that comes in an envelope. And shred any sensitive information before discarding or recycling it. Identity theft isn't limited to the online world.

• Be watchful of shoulder-surfers. At ATMs and phone booths, thieves will stand close enough to see PIN numbers punched in by users.
• Mind those credit card receipts, especially since only a few credit card receipts have stopped listing full account numbers and expiration dates. Put the charge slip copies in a safe spot until your credit card bills arrive.
• Buy a shredder and use it. Shred everything, including credit card receipts (after you've reconciled your bill), old bank statements, medical statements, everyday bills, and pre-approved credit card offers. Any document that has personal financial information on it can give an identity thief a foothold into your life.
• Write clearly on all credit applications. Consistently and completely fill in all credit and loan applications using your full name, first, middle and last. Every bill that comes to your house should be addressed exactly the same.
• Monitor your credit accounts carefully, so you'll know if a bill's missing or unauthorized purchases have been made. Close out unused credit cards. Cutting them up is not enough.
• Limit the number of credit cards you carry. The fewer cards you have, the easier it is to track them.
• Get a credit report at least once a year and clean up any errors. Look for personal information and credit accounts that are not yours. Credit bureaus make mistakes.
• If you're moving, contact all your creditors and update them of your address changes immediately. You don't want credit information and new credit cards being delivered to the wrong address. Likewise, if your credit card expires and you don't receive a new one, call your creditor immediately.
• Contact your bank, credit agency or any card issuer (such as Medicare, the RTA, etc) immediately if cards are lost or stolen.
• If you are a victim of identity theft contact your local police and report the crime. The Australian Crime Commission also operates the Identity Protection Register – obtain more info by calling (02) 6243 6666