Top tips to protect yourself from ID fraudsters

It takes just a few minutes a month to protect your bank account and help save yourself from falling victim to identity thieves – a worthwhile investment, both for your finances and for peace of mind.

What should I do?

Check your bank statements regularly
Check receipts against your statement
Contact your bank immediately if you find a transaction you do not recognise

What should I look out for?

Bank or credit card statements, or other important mail, fails to arrive
You receive bills for goods or services you have not bought
You are notified that you have been approved or denied credit for accounts you know nothing about
Debt collection agencies contact you about goods you never ordered or accounts you never opened

What should I do if the fraudsters hit?

Contact your bank or the organisation concerned and keep a record of all communication

Contact CIFAS on 0870 010 2091. They can earmark your name and address with 'Protective Registration' so that anyone applying for credit in your name will automatically be double-checked, such as by requests for further proof of identification

Check with the credit reference agencies detailed below. If applications for credit have been made in your name you can ask to have any incorrect information removed:

Experian: 0870 241 6212 (experian.co.uk)
Equifax: 0870 010 0583 (equifax.co.uk)
Call Credit: 0870 060 1414 (callcredit.co.uk)