Identity Fraud – Guard Against It!
Below are several tips here to help you save money and prevent identity fraud. Just imagine the shock of finding someone else had been dipping their fingers into your bank account without permission? How would you feel? Even thinking of the results of all your hard work being stolen by some 'anonymous' being is horrendous. Unfortunately this type of crime is 'easy' partly because some of us are sloppy in keeping our private details really protected. So don't give these criminals an easy ride. Make their life difficult and yours more stress free.
1. Always check your bank and credit card statements and as an additional precaution, change your password if necessary. 2. Never give your personal identification number PIN to anyone else. Avoid using the same PIN on more than one account. 3. Your bank will never email you regarding any breach of your account i.e., theft. It will always telephone you instead. There are so many spurious email scams which purport to be from your bank, even down to using the 'same' headed paper etc. and asking for details of your account, that you need to be extra vigilant here. These are known as 'phishing' expeditions. Be careful!
4. Invest in a shredder – these are around £30 and choose one that has a cross cut operation. Shred all your personal documents. You may well find this is one of the best investments you make against falling the victim of identity fraud. This is particularly important when you are moving or in a rush - DON'T BIN IT - SHRED IT! Go to Tip.11 for simple information on maintaining your shredder. 5. Always inform your bank, insurers and other financial institutions of your new address when you move. To possibly save a lot of bother, take a look at www.iammoving.co.uk 6. Invest in a good anti-virus system for your computer. Also protect yourself with a firewall.Go to Tip.1 7. Remain alert and identify the warning signs of fraud as soon as possible. Often fraudsters will take a small amount from your account to test whether it is working and operational before going in for the kill and removing a large sum. Losses from fraud already mount up to around £1.7bn. per year 8. Ask for a copy of your personal credit file from credit reference agencies such as Experian and Equitas. This will cost you around £2.00 for one sent to you by post to £1 for one sent online immediately. You can also secure a FREE report on some sites. 
Custom Search
9. Sign up for a service that will monitor your credit report and notify you if someone applies for credit in your name.
10. Consider insurance to help deal with identity theft. CIFAS. the UK’s fraud protection service offers this, provided on their behalf by Equifax, at a cost of around £11.75 11. Always seek compensation if you are a victim of identity fraud. Under the Banking Code your bank or building society will reimburse any money taken from your account.
12. When you move home/house always make sure you register with the Post Office (Royal Mail) to have your letters forwarded to your new address. It is best to have this done for a full twelve months which should cope with any annual subscriptions etc., you have falling due in this time. This will ensure your post does not fall into the wrong hands.
If you follow these simple tips you will make it more difficult for any fraudster to help him/herself to your money. There are so many people who have a legitimate reason for dipping their hands into your bank account, i.e., possible credit card bills to pay, the Government and local Councils taking their taxes, etc. that you need to be extra vigilant. There are also many other people who would rather live on your hard work and off your back than do a proper job for themselves; you really need to be extra alert in today's world.
Have You Been the Victim of a
|
