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Identity fraud

Protect yourself

Receipts

Identity fraud is a growing area of crime. It covers any type of fraud where someone uses your personal information without your knowledge, usually for financial gain. Typically your details will be used to obtain benefits and services in your name.

The crime is often committed by organised groups who use the money to fund serious criminal operations such as people trafficking, drug smuggling and terrorism.

The government estimates that more than 100,000 people are affected by identity theft in the UK each year.

Victims can find it difficult to obtain further financial services. And they may spend a considerable amount of time and money correcting the damage to their credit status.

 

Protect yourself

Never carry documents or plastic cards unnecessarily. When not in use, keep them in a safe place, preferably in a lockable drawer or cabinet at home.

  • don't throw away bills, receipts, card slips, bank statements or even junk mail in your name. Destroy unwanted documents by using a shredder (a cross-shredder is best)
  • always keep your card in sight while paying in a shop or restaurant for example (see card skimming below)
  • check statements as soon as they arrive - if any unfamiliar transactions are listed, contact the financial institution concerned immediately
  • regularly get a copy of your personal credit files from one of the three credit reference agencies to see which financial organisations have accessed your details.

 

Types of identity fraud

Find out about some of the different types of identity fraud.

Account take-over - when a fraudster gets hold of your bank account or credit card details and uses them to change banking details or order a new card

Application fraud - when a fraudster uses your details to get financial services

Card skimming - when someone copies (or 'skims') your card information while you are paying for something (in a shop or restaurant for example).

Phishing - when fraudsters send emails, supposedly from a trusted source, asking for bank account and credit card details.

 

Reduce the risk

Regularly check your credit file through any of the three credit reference agencies:

CIFAS - The UK's fraud prevention service

If you think you've been a victim of identity theft, contact the UK's Fraud Prevention Service. They can place a notice on your file, highlighting that you have suffered ID theft and greater security measures will be taken to ensure further applications for credit are genuine. 

 

Property fraud

Fraudsters may attempt to get ownership of a property either by using a forged document to transfer it into their own name, or by impersonating the registered owner. Once they have raised money by mortgaging the property without the owner’s knowledge, they disappear without making repayments, leaving the owner to deal with the consequences. 

 

Action Fraud UKReport fraud and get advice

You can get more advice and report suspected fraud to Action Fraud UK: