How to protect yourself when using a Virtual Assistant?

[Chad Clanton]

Hello everyone, after reading up on VA's and listening to some of the podcasts, I'm considering trying one out first in a personal capacity. I spend ENTIRELY too much time stressing and doing administrative tasks i.e. confirming our (ridiculous number) of monthly bill payments, fixing administrative issues deriving from issues on the part of my bill payees (constant), things of that nature. It seems, though, that in order to do most things (confirm monthly payments through my bank, etc) I would have to share a TON of personal information, and I don't know precisely how comfortable I am sharing my bank passwords and such. Anyone who has used a VA in a capacity wherein the VA needed access to sensitive information, how do you safeguard yourself? I.e. with that much access, say to bank accounts to track payments or compile financial trends, how do you ensure you don't lose everything in your account? Is there some type of guarantee or built in intermediary? Or am I just completely and utterly misunderstanding the whole point of a VA? Sorry for the confused fashion in which this post is written, but I'm not 100% sure what or how to ask. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!