SAFETY - Identity Theft
Keep your details Private!
One of the fastest growing offences on earth is identity theft. This type of offence happens when a criminal gets hold of sufficient details about you to enable them to open bank accounts, obtain state benefits, get credit cards or arrange loans. All in your name.
They can even apply for official documents in your name such as driving licenses or passports, and sadly, this is a crime where even the dead can become victims, as criminals often target and use the identities of those recently deceased.
The annual cost of identity theft/fraud in the UK was last estimated to be £1.2 billion and rising, and the personal costs of destroyed credit ratings, withheld finance and loans and Police enquiries is incalculable.
A lot the advice available on the internet to prevent identity theft mirrors that which we included in the section of credit card fraud.
Keep your personal details and information relating to you just that....Personal.
Things you can do
There are some very simple measures you can take to reduce the risk of someone stealing your persoanl details:
- Safe guard your computer
- Check your financial transactions carefully.
- Destroy or shred all personal information before you throw it away.
- Be wary of information you give out and who you give it to.
In addition: If you apply for any sort of state benefit or mobile telephone contract and are told you are already in receipt of it, or have one, then pursue the matter with the organisation with whom you are dealing.
If you are refused credit and think you should have a good or excellent credit rating, have a credit check run on your name to find out why.
An outstanding web site run by over 18 agencies including the Government, Police, DVLA and Royal Mail is www.identitytheft.org.uk
This site will tell you all you need to know on how to avoid becoming a victim and how to ensure a deceased relative doesn't become one either. It will also tell you how to recognise the tell tale signs of identity theft and exactly what to do and who to contact if the worst has already happened.
The site also has direct links to the agencies you can contact to run a credit check on yourself and a very useful frequently asked questions section
The Home Office produce several informative posters and leaflets about this type of crime. While this information is Crown copyright, the Home Office have kindly allowed BEST Advice to reproduce one of these excellent leaflets here.