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- Tips on avoiding identity theft
With identity fraud hitting the headlines almost every week, you'd think we'd be ultra-careful with the personal information that thieves use to steal money in our names, potentially damaging our credit ratings and reputations in the process.
But a new survey shows that, although 55 per cent of us are more worried than ever before about the threat of becoming victims - 33 per cent of us throw out documents that could mean pay day for criminals.
At a time when identity fraud is costing the country as much as £1.7 billion a year, according to Home Office estimates, we need to be more vigilant than ever.
You should learn how to avoid becoming vulnerable in the first place - which means knowing who could be after your identity and what you can do to stop them. Here are a few of the likely suspects:
The pickpocket
This thief uses the cover of a busy shop or street, crowded public transport or buzzing bar or restaurant to lift your wallet or handbag in the hope of finding your credit cards, letters and important documents. Armed with account data, your name, address and even really sensitive information such as PINs and your date of birth, the way is clear to use your cards, apply for loans or set up accounts in your name.
Protect yourself - Don't carry important documents such as your passport, driving licence or even your credit cards unless you know you'll need them - keep them locked up safely at home instead. And never write down PINs and passwords or keep the information with your credit cards that could be stolen.
The bogus telephone caller
If someone says they are from your bank, a company you deal with, a government agency or other similar organisation, check first before giving them any details especially responses to security questions. A consumer survey is another favourite ploy.
Protect yourself - Say that you will call them back but don't accept the number they give you. Check with directory enquiries and then confirm the caller's position with the switchboard before you ask to be put through. If people call you from companies you have not dealt with before, it's safer not to give them personal information at all.
The dodgy salesperson
It could be a waiter, a shopkeeper or someone in a petrol station - but if they take your credit or debit card away or hide it under the counter, they could be copying the data from it electronically. This information can be used to clone your card, which is generally used over the internet or in mail or telephone order transactions. If they get hold of your PIN by tampering with the terminal, it can also be used to withdraw cash.Protect yourself - Don't let your card out of your sight, cover the terminal with both hands when you input your PIN code and check your statements carefully for anything you don't recognise. If you find anything unfamiliar, tell your card issuer immediately.
The phisher
Be wary if you receive an e-mail from a company that directs you to its website and then asks for personal data that the organisation already holds. Phishers create clone websites that look like the real thing but their aim is to con you into entering details that they can then use to steal money from your accounts.
Phishing has become increasingly sophisticated with fraudsters using credit card details to deduct small amounts of money on a regular basis from a fake website in the hope of it going through undetected.
Protect yourself - Never respond to these e-mails. Delete them immediately and warn the organisation concerned. Some e-mail providers will give you a probability that an e-mail is a scam - take notice of these warnings. Also, be vigilant and check your credit card statements to ensure you recognise every transaction no matter how small the amount is.
The bin raider
Criminals also go through your rubbish looking for any documents you throw away that include useful information, such as credit card statements or old utility bills to steal your identity.
Protect yourself - Shred anything carrying your full name and address and all financial papers before throwing them away. Even a piece of direct mail with your details filled in by the sender can be used to open an account in your name, so shred it before binning it.
Someone at work
You know and trust your colleagues - but what about the cleaners, the temps, the man who came in to service the photocopier? If you leave things lying around on your desk, they could be copied or stolen, so think before dumping your bank statement, passport application or chequebook in your in-tray.
Protect yourself - If you bring personal items into work, lock them away or carry them with you at all times.
A business you use
A survey commissioned for National Identity Fraud Protection Week found that 40 per cent of businesses risk their clients' identities by throwing away customer information including home addresses, phone numbers and photocopies of passports. Data breaches resulting from lost or stolen data disks, laptops or memory sticks have all made the news lately.
Protect yourself - Ask organisations you deal with about their data security policies or check them up on the internet. If you are concerned, join a credit monitoring service such as CreditExpert, who will alert you to any changes on your credit report that could indicate fraudulent activity.
A social networking 'friend'
Many people who use social networks give away so much intimate detail about their lives that they've become a favourite trawling ground for identity thieves.
Protect yourself - Don't share information such as your date of birth, nicknames, mother's maiden name, pets' names or anything else that could give away your passwords, PINs and security data.
The mail thief
The theft of post is the number one way for identity thieves to get hold of the data they need to impersonate you, according to the specialist Victims of Fraud service from Experian, the UK's largest credit reference agency. Some even go as far as calling your bank pretending that you have moved home and need a new card sent out to the new address.
Protect yourself - If you have not received letters you were expecting, check with the Royal Mail - and contact the police if you believe they have been stolen. And if you move home, be sure to redirect your post from the old address to your new address for at least a year.
