WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT ?

Identity theft occurs when criminals find out your personal details and use them to open bank accounts and get credit cards, loans, state benefits and documents such as passports and driving licences in your name. This is often done by taking documents from your rubbish or by making contact with you and pretending to be from a legitimate organisation.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF?

Your identity and personal information are valuable assets. These are just some steps you can take to keep them secure:

• If you move house, tell your bank, card issuer and all other organisations that you deal with immediately. Ask the Royal Mail to redirect any mail from your old address to your new one for at least a year.
• If you suspect your mail is being stolen, check with Royal Mail whether a mail redirection order has been made in your name without your knowledge.
• If your plastic cards are lost or stolen, cancel them immediately. Keep a note of the emergency numbers you should call.
• When giving your card details or personal information over the phone, Internet or in a shop, make sure other people cannot hear or see your personal information.
• Never carry documents or plastic cards unnecessarily. When not in use keep them in a safe place.
• Keep your personal documents in a safe place, preferably in a lockable drawer or cabinet at home. Consider storing valuable financial documents such as share certificates with your bank.
• If your passport or driving licence has been lost or stolen contact the issuing organisation immediately.
• Don't throw away entire bills, receipts, credit-card or debit-card slips, bank statements or even unwanted post in your name. Destroy unwanted documents, preferably by using a shredder.
• Check statements as soon as they arrive. If any unfamiliar transactions are listed, contact the company concerned immediately.
• Never give personal or account details to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. Be suspicious even if they claim to be from your bank or the police. Ask for their phone number, check it is genuine and, if so, call them back. Be aware that a bank will never ask for your PIN or for a whole security number or password. Keep them secure.
• Don't use the same password for more than one account and never use banking passwords for any other websites. Using different passwords increases security and makes it less likely that someone could access any other accounts. o
• eep your passwords safe and never record or store them in a manner which leaves them open to theft, such as in your purse or wallet.

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