A LARGE number of iPhone and Android owners are putting themselves a risk of financial theft by scanning important documents with their devices, according to a cyber expert.

It might be the simplest way to keep hold, or share, important information such as your bank details or passport photo, but it can easily fall into the wrong hands.

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“Taking a photo may be the quickest and easiest way to scan important documents, but it’s also the most dangerous one,” Mark Wright, an anti money laundering expert at KyrosAML, told The Sun.

“Photos containing sensitive information from passports, licences, and cards are an easy target for thieves, giving them a chance to steal your personal data without breaking a sweat by simply forwarding the photos to themselves.”

Thieves often exploit stolen iPhones and Androids to access private user data.

Cyber criminals can also gain unauthorised access to devices through spyware.

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So, if you’ve snapped a photo of your bank details, card information or passwords to send to a friend or family member, or even as a reminder for when you need it – you could be giving fraudsters a key to your hard-earned cash.

“One simple step you can take to prevent this is to delete any photos of important documents from your Photos app immediately after you’re done using them,” explained Wright.

“Even better, instead of relying on the Photos app, consider using a secure file storage that can be password protected.

“One such app is the [Apple] Wallet app, where you can store your credit cards, driver’s licence, transit cards, student ID cards, and more.”

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Apps like Apple Wallet or Google Wallet use encryption technology to protect your personal information.

Encryption essentially converts all your details into a code, which makes it much harder for hackers to intercept and steal your data.

If you’re set on keeping important details and documents, such as your passport, drivers licence and cards on your iPhone or Android device, you should consider using a secure file storage app that can be password protected.

You can even use biometric passwords, such as fingerprint or face ID, to make sure you – and only you – can gain uninterrupted access to this information.

“By storing your important documents in a secure file storage, you significantly reduce the risk of your sensitive information falling into the wrong hands,” Wright added.

“Stay vigilant, be cautious with sensitive information, and prioritise protecting your personal data.

“With these measures in place, you can enjoy peace of mind and use your phone in public without the fear of your data being compromised.”

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