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It wasn't me!
These days nothing is sacred, not even our identity. Identity theft is on the rise and can have a devastating effect not only financially but also emotionally.
Identity theft is when your personal information is stolen and then used for fraudulent purposes like obtaining credit, claiming on insurance policeis or undertaking more sinister criminal activities.
There are many ways that your personal information can be stolen, from traditional methods like pretending to be a representative from a legitimate company or rifling down your bins to modern techniques like phishing emails, trojans, cookies and online data logging. But there are many ways we can protect ourselves.
Always keep your personal information safe. Mail theft is common in identity theft, so if your post goes astray contact Royal Mail and ask them to investigate. If you live in a property where other people could access your mail, like a flat, be extra careful.
Beware of emails from senders you don't recognise and never trust an email at face value. Scammers often send emails posing as banks, usually addressing you as something impersonal like ‘Dear customer’. If in doubt, delete the email without reading it.
If you shop online, be careful of websites asking you to enter personal details. To stay safe try to use secure websites that are protected by the SSL certificate symbol (a kind of virtual padlock) or make sure the URL shows ‘https’ in the address bar. Click here for some online shopping tips.
If your debit, credit or store cards are stolen act immediately and cancel them. Keep a note of emergency numbers and when giving your card details out, whether over the phone or in a shop, beware of eavesdroppers! Protect your PIN by covering the keyboard with your hand - it might feel a bit strange at first, but you will get used to it.
If your passport or driving licence is stolen you should contact the Identity and Passport Service and DVLA immediately to report it.
Always check your bank and credit card statements, don't just file them away. Most banks and credit card companies will contact their customers if they notice any unusual or exceptionally large transactions to check all is OK. However, some fraudsters will make small withdrawals and purchases hoping they will go unnoticed by the unsuspecting victims. Don't throw away anything which has any personal information on it unless you have shredded it.
Be wary of anyone phoning or emailing you and asking for personal information. Banks and building societies will never ask you to disclose your PIN number, for instance. If you're not sure the person you are talking to is legit, take their number and call them back once you have confirmed they are genuine.
Don't keep written notes of your PIN numbers and passwords and, although it may be difficult, try not to use the same password for different accounts.
If you think you have been a victim of identity theft you can obtain a credit file from a credit reference agency. You should also report it to the police and all your creditors and account providers straight away to try and limit any deception that could take place. You can also visit www.identitytheft.org.uk to get tips on protecting yourself and finding out what to do if you do fall victim to indentity theft.
Remember, above all, be vigilant!
Source: Time For Money