Homepage > Crime > Identity Theft
- What is identity theft?
- What can you do to protect yourself from identity theft?
- Phishing
- Social networks
What is identity theft?
Identity theft is stealing someone else's name, address or other identifying information. Criminals use this information to:
- obtain credit cards in your name
- take out loans in your name
- open bank accounts in your name
The most common method is the theft and misuse of existing credit cards, card numbers or home shopping catalogues.
What can you do to protect yourself from identity theft?
- Guard your credit cards, wallet or purse.
- Protect your mail and credit card statements – shred them rather than just putting them in the bin.
- Monitor your bank account regularly and check bank statements.
- Never share personal information on the phone or through the Internet.
- When ordering goods online, use the same card for all transactions and monitor statements carefully.
- When ordering online check for the little yellow padlock symbol as this tells you that the online order form is encrypted, which means your bank details will be better protected.
- Be careful when using public phones and cash machines.
- Be on the lookout for people with mobile phones who stand near you when you're using your bank card. Camera and video phones can be used to catch you entering your PIN number.
Phishing
Phishing is a scam where you receive emails, instant messages or texts pretending to be from a trustworthy source in order to acquire usernames, passwords and card details. Often emails will have the same look and feel to your bank or social networking site making these scams very difficult to spot. The important thing to remember is that you should not give out bank details like your card and PIN number or any usernames and passwords.
Social networks
Many criminals now use the information you post on social networking sites like Myspace, Facebook and Bebo to steal your identity so be careful what information you share. Social networks can also make you more vulnerable to cyberbullying.
Identity Theft
Website produced by private and public sector bodies to combat the risk of identity threat.
Directgov
Information on the Data Protection Act and protecting your information.
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