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Protect Your Personal Information From Identity Theft

by Richard Cunliffe

Your personal information is a valuable asset and needs to be protected from identity theft. You may have heard people talking about checking their credit file. This is because you need your identity on a daily basis whether it is to open bank accounts, get finance, claim benefits or obtain goods or services. The following article explains the ways you can keep your personal information secure and private.

So what happens if you are not the only person using your personal details? What happens if someone else is impersonating you? Someone may be using your details to take out credit cards, mobile phone contracts or loans in your name. What happens if the fraudster takes over your existing bank accounts and spends your money?

This is easier than you think. Identity fraud is the fastest growing type of fraud in the UK. All the fraudster needs to impersonate you are just a few of your personal details... your name, address, birthday etc. Is your birthday on Facebook? Do you throw envelopes containing your name and address in the bin? The fraudster has your identity.

Identity theft is a messy process to correct. It can take months before the fraudster’s actions are identified and it often takes a long time to correct the situation. The following steps will help you protect your identity.

Protecting Your Identity

1. Shred or destroy personal documents you are throwing away such as bills, receipts, bank statements and any document that shows your name, address or any personal details.
2. Never disclose your passwords and PINs. Change them regularly!
3. Are you receiving unwanted mail or telephone calls? Register with both the Mailing and Telephone Preference Service.
4. If you move house, change your address with all companies who post mail to you in advance of moving. Shortly before you move, use Royal Mail’s redirect service to redirect all remaining mail. If you post personal documents, ask the post office for advice on the most secure method (usually Special Delivery)
5. If you notice anything suspicious about a cash point or Chip and PIN machine then do not use it.
6. Get a copy of your credit file (From Experian, Equifax etc.) every few months to ensure there are no unfamiliar accounts open. It does not affect your credit rating checking your own file!
7. Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unfamiliar transactions.
8. Always think about who you give information to. Never give information out over the phone to anyone who cold-calls you. If you are unsure about the identity of the caller, hang up. They will call again or try another method if they need you.

Computer Privacy

1. Change all privacy settings on social networking sites such as Facebook to friends only.
2. Keep all software on your computer up-to-date; particularly anti-virus software. See PC Safety Check.
3. Encrypt your wireless network to the highest possible setting. See Wireless Network Setup.
4. Companies will not send e-mails asking you to confirm your identity so do not respond to any of these phishing e-mails.
5. Use different passwords for all your online accounts. Use strong passwords (a mix of numbers and upper and lower case letters) rather than easily guessed details such as names or common patterns e.g., 123456.
6. Do not access banking services from public computers or whilst using public Wi-Fi connections.
7. When selling a computer, ensure the hard drive is securely formatted. See Data Destruction.

Been a Victim?

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from identity theft, do not panic and follow the following steps:

1. Alert the organisation involved in the identity theft. If a credit card has been set up in your name, contact the organisation that issued the card and explain it has been fraudulently set up.
2. Alert the Police that you have been a victim of identity theft. They do take it seriously and it needs to be logged.
3. Alert a credit reference agency e.g., Experian, Equifax. Set up the ability to view your credit file. This will give you full details of all credit agreements you have set up. Study this carefully!
4. Tell your bank you have been a victim of fraud and they will be able to monitor your accounts more closely. You may find that credit card companies will start to reduce your credit limits. They are only acting based on information provided on your credit file so it is important to ensure your credit file is corrected.

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