Protecting yourself against identity theft

One of the most disturbing developments in recent years has been the growth of crime where fraudsters pretend to be someone else. According to Cifas, the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service, there were 77,500 cases of identity theft in the UK in 2007.

It’s not pleasant to think that someone may be pretending to be you, in order to commit a crime.

Unfortunately, you may end up suffering the consequences. You won’t normally have to pay debts built up by a fraudster using your identity, butit can be time-consuming and stressful to sort things out. You may find it harder to borrow money yourself (because your credit rating has been affected) or to change your genuine banking arrangements.

It’s all too easy for criminals to find out small – and apparently trivial – bits of information about you which, put together, allow them to pretend to be you. But, with a little care, you can make it harder for them.

Avoiding the obvious risks

Here are some things you can do to minimise your risk of suffering identify theft.

• Keep key documents (passport, driving licence) safe. Avoid carrying too many personal documents or cards with you in your wallet or purse. Never carry your passport or driving licence in the same bag as your credit or debit cards.

• Check bank and credit card statements when they come, looking out for any transactions which you can’t explain.

• Make sure that mail you’re expecting really does turn up.

• Shred or tear up into small pieces utility bills, financial records and anything with your name and address on it before throwing it away.

• Check credit reference files for any transactions you can’t explain every year.(See 'Credit references' for more detail).

• Shield the key pad with you hand when entering your PIN in shops or in cash machines, so people standing behind you can’t see the numbers you’re entering

• Know the telephone numbers to ring for your bank and card issuers so that you can contact them immediately if your cards are lost or stolen.

• Keep your home secure and keep your personal documents locked away or well hidden. These days, burglars are just as likely to be looking for these as your TV or computer. If your passport or driving licence are stolen, report it to the police and the passport agency or DVLA immediately.

• Avoid leaving your cards or proof of your identity in your car.

Your mail could be intercepted

If you live in a flat or a shared property where other people could get hold of your mail, take particular care.

If you’re moving home

It will take time for all the companies and organisations that deal with you to learn your new address and stop using your old one. The risk is that someone who finds your mail at your old house may try to assume your name.

Take particular care if you’re living abroad for a time.

October 2009