Thinking before you act is possibly the most effective means of protecting yourself online.

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Accept the potential responsibility you may have one day as a way of protecting yourself against fraud and financial abuse .

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One approach to protecting yourself is "laddering, " or buying individual bonds with staggered maturity dates so funds can be reinvested at higher yields as rates go up.

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If you invest in ISAs then any growth will be tax-free so you will be protecting yourself from any tax liability in the future, unless the law changes.

BBC: Fergus Muirhead

Veteran financial journalist John Wasik offers advice on protecting your aging parents (and yourself) from financial scams.

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Bitter in a way that lashes out at the situation you have found yourself in, like a snarling dog protecting its wounded paw.

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