Identity Theft
Are you a victim of identity theft?
What is identity theft and fraud?
Could your identity have been stolen?
What should you do if you think you are a victim?
What other preventative measures can you take?
What is identity theft and fraud?
Identity theft and fraud – know what it is
Identity theft is when personal details about an individual are illegally obtained or stolen.Identity fraud is when those details are then used to unlawfully obtain money, goods or services in the victim’s name.
ID Aware helps you spot the early warnings of identity theft by monitoring your credit profile and sending you text or email alerts whenever there’s a change. These include credit being taken out in your name, changes to the personal details in your credit report and details of credit searches carried out on you.
These early warnings can alert you to fraud before if causes serious damage. And if there’s a problem, as a member of ID Aware, we’ll help sort it out fast, with as little disruption as possible.
ID Aware gives practical support and advice to help restore your credit status if you’ve been a victim of identity theft. You’ll have access to a dedicated team of specialist advisers. And we’ll also give you an experienced case worker who’ll take responsibility for sorting things out and putting your credit profile back to normal.
Could your identity have been stolen?
If you answer yes to any of the below, there's a possibility someone is using your identity illegally.- Have you recently received a call from someone claiming to represent a company you have no dealings with?
If so, did they ask for personal information to confirm your identity? If this happens, it's important that you’re sure they’re genuine and that their questions are reasonable, before you give them any details. If you are concerned, phone them back on the number listed for the company they claim to be representing. - Have you had personal documents stolen?
Has your handbag or briefcase been stolen? Has your luggage gone missing? And if so, did it contain papers or documents about you? - Has someone been going through your rubbish bin?
A mess around your bin is one of the telltale signs of an identity thief rummaging for discarded post or credit card offers. - Has the amount of post you receive suddenly reduced?
This could be a sign that it has been redirected to a fraudster. - Is there anything unusual in your credit report?
Have new accounts appeared that you know nothing about? Have searches been made, recently or in the past, without your permission? Are there links to addresses you have never been connected to?
What should you do if you think you are a victim?
If you suspect something, it is important to act right away. We’re here to guide you through the process and ensure that you have contacted all the relevant parties. For example:- If you suspect a problem with one of your accounts, especially if any of your credit cards, charge cards or forms of identification are lost or stolen, we can help you to contact the organisation(s) that issued the missing items as quickly as possible.
- If any of your identity documents have been stolen, simply contact us and we will guide you through the process of reporting the theft to local police and other important authorities.
- If you discover that your identity has been compromised, contact us as soon as you can. We have a dedicated team of specialists who will take control if you’ve been a victim of identity theft.
- If you think some of your post has gone missing, we can help you get in touch with the Post Office, to find out if someone has asked them to redirect your mail for your name and address.
What other preventative measures can you take?
- Always collect mail promptly if, for whatever reason, it is being held for you at a central delivery point.
- If you’re moving home let your bank, card issuer and all other organisations that you deal with know. Then set up a Royal Mail redirect for all your mail from your old address to your new one, so you can help make sure that your post stays safe.
- Check your credit report regularly and, if any unexpected information appears, contact the credit reference agency involved and ask them to investigate, or if you have ID Aware contact us.
- Don’t carry your extra credit cards, utility bills, birth certificates, passport or other identity documents except when necessary.
- Always keep your credit card receipts until you securely destroy them.
- Never leave your purse or wallet unattended or on view in your car.
- Don’t get rid of credit card offers or any other bill, statement or receipt until they are effectively shredded.
- Look at your bank and credit card statements without delay, taking action immediately if there are any discrepancies.
- When applying for credit in a public place, or confirming personal details over the phone, ensure that you are not overheard and that you destroy any written notes.
- Do not provide any credit card, bank or other confidential information to anyone, especially if they have phoned you, unless you can positively verify that the caller is legitimate.
- Memorise your passwords and PIN numbers or, if you have to write them down, hide them amongst a list of random numbers.
- Be alert and make sure nobody is watching you enter your pin.