Back to press release

Quick Guide to Identity Protection

USING THE INTERNET FOR BANKING AND SHOPPPING CAN BE SAFE.

DON’T become a victim to identity theft or computer based crimes by storing valuable personal data, usernames, passwords, PIN numbers, security and registration details on computers, mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players or digital cameras.

• PROTECT driving licences, passports, credit cards and chequebooks, reporting theft immediately to the issuing authority or company
• NEVER carry driving licences and passports in wallets or purses
• SHRED all correspondence
• DESTROY all offers for new bank accounts, credit cards, and personal loans
• PHOTOCOPY driving licences and passports to assist in cancelling/reporting theft
• NEVER give ANY personal details on the phone to someone you don’t know
• NEVER give PIN numbers or online PASSWORDS by phone to banks or financial institutions
• REVIEW your monthly credit card statement, and always report if any statement is late or does not arrive
• ALWAYS investigate if you are refused credit –as this may indicate someone has used your details to open an account in your name
• KEEP all credit card receipts secure
• UPDATE your computer to the latest browser DIRECT from the software company
• ENSURE virus and firewall software is the latest, downloading new virus definitions regularly
• DO NOT USE EMAIL for sending any personal details, especially usernames, passwords or PIN numbers
• AVOID using obvious personal details for passwords, such as mother’s maiden names, town of birth or children’s names/birthdays

Sources

1. Office for National Statistics 2002/03 – Recorded Crimes by offence group - 634 per 100,000 in England for fraud/forgery www.statistics.gov.uk
2. Office for National Statistics 2005 [July] – Society > Internet Access - 12.9 million or 55% of households have access to internet, 62% of adults www.statistics.gov.uk
3. DIRECTGOV Website – ‘One in four people claim to have been or know someone who has been a victim of Identity Theft’ www.direct.gov.uk
4. Home Office Website – ‘More than 100,000 people are effected by identity theft in the UK each year, costing the economy over £1.3billion’ www.identity-theft.org.uk

See our Press Release on Impersonation