As the public continue to protect their homes and property against crime identity theft is becoming more of a potentially serious crime. As a victim of identity fraud, you might not realise you’ve been targeted until a bill arrives for something you didn’t buy, or you experience problems with your credit rating.  

Identity theft is when a person’s personal details are stolen and used to commit crime.The most common types of identity fraud involve the use of compromised credit and debit card details. 

Identity thieves can steal your personal information in a number of ways: going through your post or rubbish to find bank and credit card statements or tax information; from your wallet or purse by taking a driving licence, credit or bank cards or even while you shop. In some cases, fraudsters may even ‘skim’ your credit card information when you make a purchase, leading to card cloning or card-not-present fraud. 

Your identity details are then used to open a bank account, obtain credit cards, loans and state benefits, order goods in your name or take out a mobile phone contract. They can also obtain genuine documents, such as passports and driving licences, in your name. 

 Here are a few steps  you can take to minimise the possibility of this happening to you: 

1) Protect mobile devices from access using face or finger print recognition if possile. 

2) Use complex passwords throughout.  

3) Try to avoid using public wi-fi for certain types of transactions such as mobile banking. 

4) Shred. Shred. Shred. Never throw any paperwork away that will identify you as an individual. This includes simple letters etc containing your name and address. 

5) Check credit reports using Experian. 

6) If you know of someone with an external letter box from which papers can be taken easily suggest they change it.  One company in Aylesbury markets secure letter boxes  http://www.letterbox4you.co.uk but there are others. 

7)Don’t post any pictures showing your car number plate as this could be used to illicitly obtain your address from DVLA records. 

8)A bank will never ask for your Pin, either over the phone or via email.  

9)You can buy Card Defenders (£3 and £4) from us to avoid your cards being skimmed.