National Identity Fraud Prevention Week

By managing your personal information carefully, you can substantially reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of identity fraud. Here are some tips to show you how:

Be Vigilant - Beware of anybody who contacts you unexpectedly and asks for personal information or account details even if they claim to be from your bank, the police or another official organisation like your local council. Ask for their name and a contact number and then check with the organisation in question before calling back.

Guard Your Cards - Minimise the information and the number of cards you carry in your wallet. If you lose a card, contact the fraud division of the relevant credit card company. If you apply for a new credit card and it doesn't arrive in a reasonable time, contact the issuer. Watch cashiers when you give them your card for a purchase and make sure you can see your credit card at all times. When you receive a new card, sign it in permanent ink and activate it immediately.

Pay Attention to Billing Cycles - Contact creditors immediately if your bills arrive late. A missing bill could mean a fraudster has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing address.

Credit Report - It is a good idea to check your credit report regularly to ensure no accounts or credit has been illegally set up in your name. Regular monitoring of your credit report will alert you if someone has been using your identity to obtain credit, ensuring you can not only rectify your credit report as soon as possible but also stop the fraudster in their tracks. You can obtain a copy of your credit report from one of the UK’s three credit reference agencies. See useful links for more information.

Keep Your Documents Safe - Store any documents containing personal details, such as your passport, driving license, bank statements or utility bills in a safe place. In addition, limit the number of documents you carry around with you that contain your personal details. If possible, do not leave personal documents in your vehicle.

Protect Your Post - Fraudsters may try to redirect your mail without your permission. If you suspect your mail is being stolen or whether a mail redirection application has been made in your name without your knowledge contact Royal Mail Customer Care on 08457 740 740.

Deposit outgoing post in post office collection boxes or at your local post office rather than leaving it in office out trays or similar. For more information see www.postoffice.co.uk

Secure Your Post - If you use a central or communal postal delivery point, such as in a block of flats, make sure your mail is secured until you can collect it. Consider a lockable postbox and collect your mail as soon as possible. If you have to post any documents that contain personal details ask at your local post office for advice on the most secure posting method. Visit www.royalmail.com for more information.

Moving House or Going Away - If you move house, tell your bank, card issuer and of course all other organisations that you deal with immediately, but don't forget to ask Royal Mail to redirect any mail from your old address to your new one for at least a year.

If you're planning to be away from home for an extended period consider contacting Royal Mail about their 'Keepsafe' service which will hold your mail for up to two months, and deliver it to you on your return. Visit www.royalmail.com for more information.

Update Contact Details - If you move house or change phone numbers tell all relevant organisations about the change as soon as possible. Using a mail forwarding service for at least a year is a good way to make sure all post is redirected to your new home and reduces the risk of your personal information getting into the wrong hands.

Be Safe Online - If you use the internet make sure you have the latest security patches and up-to-date anti-virus software installed.

Getsafeonline.org offer advice on keeping your details private on social networks.

You can avoid the risks and enjoy social networking sites by following a few sensible guidelines:

• Don’t let peer pressure or what other people are doing on these sites push you into doing something you’re not comfortable with. Just because other people post their mobile phone number or birthday, doesn’t mean you have to.
• Be wary of publishing any identifying information about yourself. In particular things like: phone numbers, pictures of your home, workplace or school, your address, birthday or full name.
• Pick a user name that doesn’t include any personal information. For example, “joe_glasgow” or “jane_liverpool” would be bad choices.
• Set up a separate email account that doesn’t use your real name and use that to register and receive mail from the site. That way if you want to shut down your connection, you can simply stop using that mail account. This is very simple and quick to do using such providers as Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail. (Other services exist. See the DMOZ directory of free web-based mail services).
• Use a strong password.
• What goes online stays online. Don’t say anything or publish pictures that might cause you embarrassment later. As a general rule, if you wouldn’t say it to your boss or your grandmother, don’t say it online.
• Learn how to use the site. Use the privacy features on the site you use to restrict strangers’ access to your profile. Be guarded about who you let join your network.
• Be on your guard against phishing scams.

For more details download your free guide to Protecting Your Identity.