​While paying your bills is never fun, paying them online makes it a much easier process. Online bill pay has become much more popular in recent years, mostly due to convenience. While some consumers may be wary of the security risks associated with virtual payments, research has actually shown there is a lower risk of identity theft and other cybercrime using online bill pay rather than sending payments by mail. Plus, there’s the time and money you’ll save over the duration of a year by not writing out checks, filing the paperwork and buying stamps.

​It’s more important than ever in today’s world to take precautions to protect your personal information and reduce your risk of identity theft. The tips below cover simple offline and online strategies to ensure your confidential information remains safe and secure. Don’t let con artists and thieves take advantage of you—be educated and be prepared.

When it comes to paying your monthly bills—a chore that we all dread—you do have choices.  There are three simple options.  You can pay in person with cash or a check, use the tried-and-true method of mailing a check or pay your bills online using some form of electronic bill payment and presentment (EBPP).  When deciding which option is best for you, it is important to understand the risks associated with each choice and the ways to reduce these risks.
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While all financial transactions involve some form of risk, it is generally assumed that paying your bills in person involves the least risk.  Yet most people opt out of paying bills this way due to the amount of time and effort it takes to find the payment office and drive across town during business hours.  That leaves you with two options—paying either by check or online.