You are safer paying your mortgage online - or to have the amount automatically debited from your checking or savings account each month - instead of writing an actual check.

Why? Though Internet "phishing" scams have received a lot of publicity lately, studies still show that about two-thirds of all ID-theft cases begin when a thief simply rummages through mailboxes or trash cans in search of a consumer's canceled checks, old loan statements or other paperwork that includes personal financial data. Paying electronically is generally far more secure because it doesn't create an extensive paper trail.

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