Identity fraud, where criminals get hold of sensitive information and impersonate an individual, is a serious crime which can have a devastating effect. If a fraudster steals your identity, the first you may know of it is when you receive invoices, statements or even debt collection letters relating to debts which you knew nothing about. Identity fraud is currently one of the fastest-growing crimes in the UK, but there are some steps you can take to help reduce the risk of it happening to you.
Types of Identity Fraud
The most common types of identity fraud are as follows;
- Opening a bank account in your name
- Obtaining a credit card, loan or applying for benefits in your name
- Ordering goods in your name
- Taking over your existing accounts by changing passwords, addresses etc.
- Taking out new mobile phone contracts
- Using your personal information to obtain legal documents such as passports or driving licenses
How to protect yourself against these scams
- Shred sensitive information – the easiest way to protect yourself against identity fraud is to shred all sensitive documents as soon as you are finished with them. Bank statements, credit card statements, catalogue or online shopping account details and even junk mail offering you credit can all be used to steal your identity. Fraudsters looking for their next stolen identity will rake through bins looking for anything they can use so make sure you don’t provide what they need.
- Check statements – No matter how careful you are when it comes to shredding your sensitive information, you should always keep an eye on your accounts and statements. This will allow you to pick up on any unusual transactions as soon as possible. Some scammers try a small transaction first to see if it is noticed, before following it with a larger one so regular checks could prevent your bank account from being completely emptied.
- Check your credit report– Any credit taken out, or applied for, in your name will show up on your credit report. Your credit report is available online; check it regularly and follow up any balances or entries which you don’t recognise. You may find that the entry is perfectly legitimate but it is far better to be safe than sorry! The three main credit report reference agencies are Callcredit, Experian and Equifax. It is particularly advisable to check your credit report two or three months after moving house.
- Be careful on Facebook – It can be very tempting to give away far too much information on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Having your full name and date of birth on your profile gives potential fraudsters a fair chunk of the information they would need to steal your identity; take care not to post any details like your pet’s names, children’s nicknames or anything else which may form part of your passwords. Always use high security settings and be choosy about who you allow to view your full profile.
- Leave ID at home – Don’t carry documents such as your driving license, passport or credit cards with you unless you are likely to need them. The less you carry, the lower the risk of them falling into the wrong hands. Minimise the potential damage should your bag or wallet be lost or stolen.
- Report stolen items – If you are unlucky enough to discover that a card or other personal item has been stolen, always report the matter to the police as soon as possible. Your bank, card issuer or other relevant organisation should also be informed promptly so they can block any fraudulent activity which may be attempted on the account.
- Join the Electoral Roll – Regardless of your views on politics, you should always register your vote at your current address. If you do not do so, a fraudster could register you at a different address and use it as proof that they are you. When you move house, make sure to de-register your old address and re-register at your new home promptly.
- Missing post? – If you suspect any of your mail is going missing, report it to Royal Mail immediately. Intercepted mail can be used to steal your identity and the risk of this happening is increased if you live somewhere with a communal hall. If you move house, make sure to use the Royal Mail Redirection Service to forward post to you for at least a year.
- Don’t reply to cold calls and emails – Never reply to any call or email where you are asked for sensitive information, PINs, passwords etc. Personal information should only be given out where you have made the initial contact and are satisfied that you are genuinely speaking to the organisation concerned. If you receive any suspicious calls or emails, report them to the organisation which is being named.
- Memorise PINs and passwords – PINs and passwords should never, ever be written down. A stolen wallet containing cards and written down PINs is a fraudsters dream! Different passwords and PINS should be used too; don’t use the same for all of your accounts. Passwords should always contain a mix of numbers, letters and special characters – the aim is to make it as difficult to guess as possible.
- Use secure websites – Before shopping or entering any personal information online, look for the padlock symbol, which signifies a secure website.
- Use antivirus software – Installing reputable anti-virus software and a firewall on your computer will help to protect you against viruses, which could be used to log your activity and record personal information as you type.
