You may become a victim of identity theft if:
You have lost or had stolen important documents such as your passport or if post expected from your bank has not arrived or you are receiving no post at all.
You may already be a victim of identity theft if:
- Items have appeared on your bank or credit card statements that you do not recognise
- You applied for state benefit but are told that you are already claiming
- You receive bills, invoices or receipts addressed to you for goods or services you haven’t ask for
- A mobile phone contract has been set up in your name without your knowledge
- You receive letters from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that aren’t yours.
Above are just some things that could indicate you may be a victim, below are some useful security tips on how to protect yourself:
Regularly get a copy of your personal credit file, this may cost as little as £2.00 from a credit reference agency and will show up any entries that you do not recognise.
- Royal mail offers a redirection service to help prevent identity fraud when you move house. Consider asking Royal Mail to redirect any post from your old address to your new one for at least a year. You will have to pay a charge for this service.
- If you do move addresses inform you’re bank, credit-card company and other organisations that you deal with, as soon as possible. To ensure all is in order get a credit file two to three months after moving.
- Cancel any lost or stolen credit or debit cards immediately. Keep a note of the emergency numbers you should call in a safe place.
- Be careful to keep your personal information secure when using your card over the phone, on the Internet or in shops.
- Be aware of your surroundings when keying in your pin number at cash machines or any outlet using chip + pin. If you notice something unusual about the cash machine you’re using, cancel the transaction and inform the bank immediately.
- Do not casually throw away documents such as bills, receipts, credit or debit card slips, bank statements or even unwanted post in your name. Destroy these by using a shredder.
For advice on obtaining your credit file, Royal Mail redirection service and further information about identity theft click on one of the following websites.
You can obtain your credit file from any of the three credit reference agencies listed below. Some also offer consumers secure online access to their credit files.
Report all lost or stolen documents (passports, driving licences, credit cards, chequebooks, etc).
Royal Mail – http://www.royalmail.com/
Identity and Passport Service – http://www.ips.gov.uk/
What to do if your driving licence has been lost, stolen, destroyed or defaced
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/applydl.htm#dup_licence
The following sites provide general information and advice on fraud and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim:
Reproduced with the kind permission of South Yorkshire Police.
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