Protecting yourself against identity fraud

Home Your money - Protecting yourself against identity fraud

How to avoid identity fraud

Every organisation that you deal with in the United Kingdom must hold and use your information in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. This law means that a company has to keep information secure and only pass it to other parties for legitimate reasons. This stops information falling into the wrong hands, or being used illegally.

It's also important that everyone takes steps to keep their own information safe. Follow these simple tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of identify fraud.

New bank/credit cards

DO ask if you can pick the new card up from a local bank branch rather than it being sent through the post.
DO make a note of how long a new credit/debit card will take to arrive by post, and if it is not delivered within this time, contact the bank immediately.
DO sign your new card as soon as you receive it.

Existing bank/credit cards

DO NOT carry all your cards with you whenever you leave the house, if possible.
DO NOT store chequebooks and cards together.
DO NOT keep your Personal Identification Number (PIN) with your card.
DO NOT choose an easily guessable PIN e.g. 1234, or your date of birth.
DO cancel a lost or stolen card with your bank as soon as possible.

Correspondence (letters, account statements, etc)

DO check account statements and query any unknown transactions with the organisation with whom you hold that account.
DO shred all documents with any information in them; DO NOT put these in the bin without shredding them first.
DO register with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) which will stop you getting targeted junk mail.

Phone calls, emails and websites

DO NOT give information to any caller without ascertaining that they are who they say they are.
DO be aware that emails claiming to be from banks, and requiring you to verify details via a link are likely to be scams, so DO NOT use the link.
DO NOT provide information online unless you can be sure it is a secure site, and the information is necessary.

Moving house

DO make sure you notify all organisations of your change of address.
DO set up a redirection service with Royal Mail.

USEFUL ADDRESSES

Mailing Preference Service (MPS)

DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SS
Tel: 020 7291 3310
MPS Registration line: 0845 703 4599
Fax: 020 7323 4226
Email
Website

Royal Mail redirection service

Visit any Post Office branch or download the relevant forms online at www.royalmail.com