Receiving bank and investment account statements and other documents (such as credit card bills) online instead of in the mail can have benefits — including convenience, less clutter and fewer trees being cut down — but electronic statements can raise concerns. Here are ways to manage electronic documents:

Take security precautions. Because financial documents contain personal information, institutions offer a secure connection to their Internet banking site. You should use and update anti-virus software, strong passwords and a "firewall" to stop hackers from accessing your computer.

Monitor the e-mails from your bank and credit card company. Regularly review bank statements or credit card bills and manage the accounts to avoid penalties and fees.

Be on guard against fraudulent e-mails. Criminals send emails using bank logos and names that ask the  reciever to click on a link that takes them to a fraudulent site. The best wat to access your bank's website is to carefully type the web address or use a "Bookmarked" link.