Identity theft is when a person’s identity is stolen and illegally used by another for their personal gain.

Criminals often use numerous sources and methods to gain information on a person including;

• raiding bins for bills, bank statements and junk mail. 
• using emails links to false websites to trick you into giving your details.
• contacting you by phone pretending to be the bank and asking you to confirm personal details.
• stealing your personal information from your wallet or purse.

 

What can you do to prevent becoming victim?

• Keep personal information secure - do not write down or let anyone know your PIN number or passwords. If someone calls you about your personal details or bank accounts, always ring them back through the contact number you would normally use or ask them to give your some reference details that the company would hold. Also, report any stolen or lost identity documents as soon as possible.
• Shred personal documents - destroy anything that contains your personal details (bank statements, bills, envelopes, junk mail). Shred as much as possible. If you are unable to shred documents, tear them up into small pieces.
• Review your financial statements - always regularly look at your financial statements to ensure there are no unknown transactions from your account. Also complete regular credit checks from a credit reference agency to ensure your record is accurate.
• Don’t advertise yourself to become a victim - remove as much personal information as possible from sites on the internet, especially date of birth and addresses.
• Moving house? Remember to redirect your mail - ensure you change your address with all companies and even place a redirect on your post to ensure documentation does not fall into the wrong hands.
• Antivirus Software - always install anti-virus software and a firewall to ensure others cannot access you personal details from your computer.

 

What do I do if I become a victim?
If you believe you have become a victim of Identity Fraud and you think an account of yours has been defrauded, please contact the bank or building society where your account is held.

If you have received a suspicious email asking for your personal details, please forward it to reports@banksafeonline.org.uk