What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is where criminals find out your personal details and use them to open bank accounts and get credit cards, loans, state benefits and documents such as passports in your name. If your identity has been stolen, you may have difficulty getting loans and credit cards, etc, until the matter has been resolved. Research has shown that it could be as long as 18 months before a victim becomes aware of their identity having been compromised.
Things to look out for:
· Receiving no post at all.
· Post expected from your bank has not arrived.
· You receive bills, invoices or receipts addressed to you for goods you haven't asked for.
· You have received letters from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that aren't yours.
· A mobile-phone contract has been set up in your name without your knowledge.
In today's world computers and other digital devices store the most personal and private information about us. Account numbers, credit card details, tax return information and many other forms of data would prove invaluable to the identity theft criminal.
How to protect yourself:
Your identity and personal information are valuable assets. Keep them safe and secure by:
· regularly obtaining a copy of your personal credit file from one of the three credit reference agencies to see which financial organisations have accessed your details. It is particularly helpful to check your personal credit file 2-3 months after you have moved house.
· being extra careful if you live in a property where other people could have access to your mail. In some cases a bank or credit card company could arrange for you to collect valuable items such as new plastic cards or cheque books from a local branch.
· contacting the Royal Mail Customer Enquiry Line on 08457 740 740 if you suspect your mail is being stolen. Check whether a mail redirection order has been made in your name without your knowledge.
· telling your bank, card issuer and all other organisations that you deal with immediately if you move house. Ask the Royal Mail to redirect any mail from your old address to your new one for at least a year.
· considering using the Mailing Preference Service to limit the amount of unwanted mail you receive.
· visiting Get Safe Online for advice on how to stay safe online when shopping, banking or doing business over the internet, and how to protect your computer and the personal information it contains. This includes advice about how to dispose of unwanted computers. This website has been developed by the Government, police and industry.
Keep all your plastic cards safe.
If your plastic cards are lost or stolen, cancel them immediately. Keep a note of the emergency numbers you should call. Further details can be found at the Card Watch website.
When giving your card details or personal information over the phone, Internet or in a shop, make sure other people cannot hear or see your personal information.
Never carry documents or plastic cards unnecessarily. When not in use keep them in a safe place.
Keep your personal documents safe.
Keep your personal documents in a safe place, preferably in a lockable drawer or cabinet at home. Consider storing valuable financial documents such as share certificates with your bank.
If your passport or driving licence has been lost or stolen contact the issuing organisation immediately.
Don't throw away entire bills, receipts, credit-or debit-card slips, bank statements or even unwanted post in your name. Destroy unwanted documents, preferably by using a shredder.
Check statements as soon as they arrive. If any unfamiliar transactions are listed, contact the company concerned immediately.
Keep your passwords and PIN safe.
Never give personal or account details to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. Be suspicious even if they claim to be from your bank or the police. Ask for their phone number, check it is genuine and, if so, call them back. Be aware that a bank will never ask for your PIN or for a whole security number or password. Keep them secure.
Don't use the same password for more than one account and never use banking passwords for any other websites. Using different passwords increases security and makes it less likely that someone could access any other accounts.
Keep your passwords safe and never record or store them in a manner which leaves them open to theft, such as in your purse or wallet.
If you receive a suspicious e-mail purporting to be from a bona fide institution which requests personal details, click here for advice provided by the banking industry.
Charitable Trust Number 1065762