ADVICE ON IDENTITY FRAUD

Hertfordshire Constabulary have issued the following advice for people concerned about identity Fraud following recent national events. Further advice can be found on the CIFAS web site/www.cifas.org.uk/default.

IDENTITY THEFT/FRAUD

Identity Theft

This occurs when an individual's personal or confidential information is obtained by another person in order to assume their identity. Identity theft is the first step to perpetrating a criminal activity whereby criminals may use personal information to obtain credit, goods or other services fraudulently. This is known as identity fraud.

Identity Fraud

This can involve setting up a bank account in someone else's name, applying for a credit card or stealing personal details in order to fraudulently obtain goods, services or other financial advantage. It can even extend to securing a passport in their name.

HOW TO SPOT IDENTITY FRAUD

Monitor billing cycles

A missing bill or bank statement could mean that someone has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing address or intercepted your mail. Keep a note of the date you expect bank statements, new cards and utility bills to arrive and contact the relevant parties if they are late.

Check your statements

Review bank and credit card statements and keep an eye out for unusual transactions you do not immediately recognise. Do not be afraid to follow up with your bank or credit card company to see if they can provide more information about the transaction if you think it looks suspicious.

Monitor your credit report

Unless you check and monitor your credit report frequently with one of the Credit Reference Agencies (EG Callcredit, Equifax, Experian) to ensure they are up to date and accurate, there is often no way to tell if identity thieves have used your personal information to open credit accounts or other services in your name.

Refusal of credit

If you are unexpectedly refused credit for goods or services despite having a good credit rating this may mean someone has taken out credit in your name.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM

Contact your bank and credit card companies

Identity fraud involving the use of plastic cards (such as credit and debit cards), online banking or cheques should be reported directly to the financial institution concerned. Your bank, for example, is now responsible for undertaking further verification and investigation and where appropriate will report it to the Police for investigation. This follows a recent change in reporting procedures.

Freeze fraudulent accounts

Contact the appropriate creditors, banks, phone companies and utility companies and have them freeze the accounts. You may be liable for only £50 of the fraudulent charges but different lenders have different policies. Most creditors promptly issue replacement cards with new account numbers.

Contact a credit reference agency

Contact an accredited credit reference agency such as Callcredit, Equifax or Experian and follow their advice and guidance to resolve the situation and prevent it happening again.

www.callcredit.co

www.equifax.co.uk

www.experian.co.uk

Protective Registration from CIFAS

Contact CIFAS (Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance Service) and file a Protective Registration notice on your credit file. This will flag to potential lenders that you have been a victim of identity fraud and greater security measures will be taken to ensure that any further application for credit is genuine.

www.cifas.org.uk
Email: protective.registrationuk@equifax.com T/P 0870 010 2091

Keep a record

Recovering from identity theft can sometimes be a long and complicated process. It is important to keep a record of all communications. Send all letters by registered mail and keep copies. If you think your case might lead to a lawsuit, keep track of how much time you spend dealing with the problem.

PASSWORDS

In the light of the recent loss of data suffered by the HMR&C, where passwords are used to protect accounts these passwords should be reviewed to replace any that contain details included on the information supplied to HMR&C. This includes children's names, maiden names or spouses' names for example.

HELP TO PREVENT YOURSELF BECOMING A VICTIM

• Shred all confidential rubbish before putting it in your bin.
• Be careful about what confidential information you place on internet sites (EG do not put your date of birth on Facebook).
• If you move address ensure that you have all mail forwarded.
• Be aware of Phishing and never give personal information to anybody unless you are completely confident in their integrity, particularly if the request came in an unsolicited Email or telephone call.
• Keep your credit/debit card in sight whilst it is in use.
• Prevent anybody being able to see your PIN number when using credit/debit cards.
• Be very careful to prevent the theft of purses and/or wallets