Identity Theft

Protect your name and your money

In what many are calling Britain's fastest growing type of theft, thieves are working without the usual tools of the trade. Forget sawn off shotguns and ski masks, your name and NI number will do the trick, or that blank, pre-approved credit application you tossed out with the rubbish. Even talking on your mobile or surfing the internet can allow someone you've never met before to rob you of the one thing you may have thought safe from attack - your identity.

Identity fraud is digging deep into consumer's pockets more than 1.3 billion was lost in the past year by financial institutions and businesses. The perpetrator may use a variety of tactics to obtain your personal information and drain your finances; posing as a loan officer and ordering your credit report; shoulder surfing at the phone booth to get your PIN code or stealing mail right out of your own mailbox.

It may take months before you realise you're a victim of identity theft. But when you get turned down for credit, a car loan or a mortgage on your dream house because you've got a bad credit rating and you know you've paid your bills, beware: The ID thief may have struck again.

Do you carry your NI number in your wallet? If so, consider this. That nine-digit code gives thieves access to your medical, financial, credit and educational records. There are no legal restrictions on private company use of NI numbers.

If you think you're safe because you've cancelled your credit cards and put a stop on your current account then think again. Once identity thieves have your information, they may open new accounts or lines of credit - under your name for their use.

Last year alone, an estimated 100,000 Britain's were affected by ID theft. The culprits may be employees of offices, airlines, hotels or personnel offices-anyone who has access to financial information. Thieves may use your credit card or encoding equipment (sold by business supply companies) and blank cards with magnetic strips to record your account number onto a counterfeit card with a different name. Thieves sometimes look for jobs that will give them access to financial information, or they may bribe employees in such positions to supply them with the information they want. Need a fake identity to "prove" you're the person whose name is on the credit card? Just try surfing the net. There are scores of sites with instructions on how to create a new you. If you've got your own computer, scanner and colour printer or copier, you can create your own false ID's.

So, how can you avoid being a victim? That's easy; just follow these simple tips from CIFAS, the UK's Fraud Prevention Service:

• Treat your personal data as 'confidential' - don't give it away easily.
• Destroy any document showing your name, address or other details before discarding. This includes documents such as bank statements, utility bills, pre-filled application forms, chequebook stubs, debit or credit card transaction receipts, even envelopes or a letterhead showing an address. These are all potentially useful to a fraudster who wouldn't think twice about rifling through your rubbish, or 'Bin Raiding'. Most good stationers sell competitively priced domestic paper shredders.
• Check your bank / credit card statements promptly. Report any transactions you don't recognise to the card issuer, even if they are only for small amounts.
• Scrutinise your credit file (or credit report) for accuracy. Check for unauthorised activity, such as new accounts you didn't open, credit searches by companies you haven't dealt with or address links to addresses you don't recognise. You can arrange to receive your credit file regularly to monitor credit applications made in your name.
• Make sure you formally close any accounts you no longer require. Dormant accounts may be reactivated by a fraudster without your knowledge.

Giving Away Your Data

• Always be wary of those soliciting your personal information, even friendly or official-looking people who stop you in the street or call at your home. Ask yourself:
  Who wants my information - am I sure they are genuine?
  Do they really need my personal details?
• Letters, faxes or emails: If you receive letters or emails requesting personal details, such as your PIN numbers, passwords, pass codes etc., check they are genuine, and check that the company that is requesting the information is genuine. A legitimate financial institution would never request these details from their customers in this way. If you do not believe the request is genuine, where possible avoid replying; fraudsters may see your response as a sign they have made contact with a potential victim.
• Telephone canvassers - why are they calling you? Never give information to an unknown caller who can't prove their identity, even if they do claim to be from your bank. Politely offer to call them back if you have any suspicions.
• Be sure you are dealing with a genuine and legitimate company before giving them any account details, particularly if they have approached you.
• Never disclose or write down (or even store in your mobile phone) your personal identification number (PIN) or online passwords.
• Where possible, avoid disclosing your mother's maiden name or using it as a password - it may be easily discovered. Consider using a less obvious word or name instead.
• Avoid signing up for junk mail. Consider registering for the Mail Preference Service and/or the Telephone Preference Service to reduce the amount of unsolicited correspondence you receive.

Your Documents

• Keep all your important documents, such as your passport, driving licence, birth/marriage certificate, in a safe place (but not all together if possible). They are as valuable to a criminal as electrical equipment or jewellery and can be easily sold to an identity fraudster.
• Keep an eye on your bills and statements and make a note of when they should be arriving. Fraudsters have been known to take over their victims' bank accounts and change the address. If your bills or statements don't arrive, inform the organisation concerned.
• Protect your post - if you use a central or communal delivery point, collect your post as soon as possible after delivery. If items of mail regularly fail to arrive, report this to Royal Mail.
• If an important document goes astray - for example your passport or driving licence, inform the relevant bodies immediately. Report it to the Police if it is stolen.
• Try to limit the documents you carry around with you - and if possible do not leave personal documents in your vehicle.

Credit Cards

• Treat your cards as if they there were cash and sign any new cards as soon as you receive them.
• Keep a list of all your credit cards (along with account details) so you can notify card issuers quickly in the event they are lost or stolen.
• Consider making use of a card protection scheme - for a small fee you can register all your bank and credit cards with the scheme. In the event your cards are lost or stolen, they will contact the card suppliers on your behalf. Ask your bank or credit card issuer to recommend a suitable scheme.

Moving Home

• If you move home, inform all the relevant organisations of your change in address. To make sure all your credit accounts move with you, get a copy of your credit file. This ensures you identify all of your accounts and don't forget those you may not have used for a while.
• Consider using a Royal Mail Re-direct for at least a year to make sure all post is forwarded to your new address.
• Contact your local authority and enrol on the Electoral Register (also known as the Voters Roll) for your new address as soon as you can.
• Don't tempt those moving into your old address - a replacement storecard or a mail order catalogue arriving at your old address is a gift to a fraudster.

At Work

• Most employers store personal data relating to their staff:
  Double check that your records are kept in a secure location.
  Find out who has access to your details at work - they should only be accessed by other employees for legitimate reasons.

Travelling or Moving Abroad

• If you plan to be away from the UK for some time, inform your bank and other relevant organisations.
• Make sure any post sent to your UK address is dealt with securely. Consider contacting the Royal Mail about its 'Keepsafe' service.
• Treat your plastic cards, travellers cheques and passports as securely as you would cash. Always keep them in your hand luggage when travelling - suitcases and rucksacks may go out of sight.
• Make use of safety deposit boxes, if possible.
• Be wary of leaving documents in your car.

For further information on ID fraud please visit: www.cifas.org.uk

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