E-wallet credit and loans: read this before you borrow

None of this requires special equipment or a big budget. Most of it requires attention, and a little patience.

Turn on transaction alerts. A notification for every movement of money is the fastest way to catch a problem.

What people are saying

A few years ago this would have sounded unusual. Today it is ordinary enough that most people do not think about it at all.

The best advice came from people who had already made the mistakes, and were happy to explain how to avoid them.

What experts say

If you only remember one thing from this story, make it this: start small, check the details and do not let anyone rush you.

Keep your PIN and one-time codes to yourself. Support staff never need them, and nobody legitimate will ask.

A closer look

Fees are often small enough to ignore, which is exactly why they add up. Check the fee screen before every transfer, not just the first one.

Fees are often small enough to ignore, which is exactly why they add up. Check the fee screen before every transfer, not just the first one.

Keep your PIN and one-time codes to yourself. Support staff never need them, and nobody legitimate will ask.

• Write down dates, amounts and reference numbers.
• Ask someone you trust for a second opinion.
• Start with the cheapest option that solves the problem.
• Read the fine print on fees and limits.
• Plan for bad weather and slow connections.

The numbers

If you only remember one thing from this story, make it this: start small, check the details and do not let anyone rush you.

Turn on transaction alerts. A notification for every movement of money is the fastest way to catch a problem.

Behind the headline is a lot of quiet, repetitive work by people who rarely get credit for it.