Google has officially launched Google Wallet, a free app that facilitates “wireless and wallet-less” purchases via PayPass. This new app is in line with the emerging trend of paying for products and services with smartphones or digital wallets. While these evolutionary electronic payment methods can lighten a consumer’s wallet, they can also open access to heavy identity theft dangers.

Said Jeff Paradise, executive director of IdentityHawk, a leading identity theft protect service, “The first step you should take before using a digital wallet is going through the simple steps of PROTECT. Following these steps will help make sure that when you make your first purchases you do not open yourself up to the risk of identity theft.”

IdentityHawk provides the following tips for identity protection while using digital wallets.

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