Are you one of the 32.5 million Americans who, by the end of June 2011, accessed mobile banking information on their smartphones? According to research company comScore Inc., an ever-increasing number of banking customers are using their devices to check balances, transfer funds and even deposit checks.

That's why it's critical to be sure the banking environment is secure, says Phil Blank, managing director of security risk and fraud at Javelin Strategy and Research based in Pleasanton, Calif. He says banking securely means knowing how to protect yourself before a problem arises.

"The real grand slam for phone security is prevention," he says.

Here are seven steps Blank and other security experts say consumers should take to keep their sensitive financial information out of the hands of thieves and hackers.