Financial Answer Center

Even if you’ve taken precautions on your desktop or laptop, you may have a device in your pocket that is nearly as powerful and that has just as much (if not more) access to your personal information. Many people don’t realize what a liability their mobile device can be when it comes to criminals being able to access information. Or, if you accidentally lose your phone like Linda did, it could become an easy way for thieves to access your information. For example:

• Many people use smartphones to access personal accounts, shop, and use social media. However, three in 10 smartphones aren’t password protected and 41 percent aren’t enabled for remote tracking and data wiping.

Only 22 percent of survey respondents said they read mobile app privacy statements before downloading apps.

Source:  Edelman Berland survey for Experian’s ProtectMyID,2014