Don't be a victim - protect your identity

Whether your house is burgled or your bag is stolen from a bar, being a victim of crime is a trauma. Increasingly it can also become an experience that casts a shadow into the future, with the criminal typically targeting identity documents as well as watches, jewellery and electronic equipment.

If your bag was stolen in the street, how would you feel if, months later, you discovered that the effects of this robbery were still being felt - through your bank as a result of identity fraud?

There are many products available on the market for those whose identity has been compromised in such circumstances. But what can be done to assist you before your identity is stolen?

Protective Registration is a service offered by CIFAS - The UK's Fraud Prevention Service - a not for profit organisation that helps to protect those whose identity is at risk due to crime. For an administration fee of £14.10 (£12 plus £2.10 VAT) this protects your name and address from further misuse.

How does Protective Registration work?

When you request CIFAS Protective Registration, a CIFAS warning flag is placed against your address indicating that you have been recorded on the CIFAS fraud prevention database at your own request. Therefore, when you apply for credit, insurance or other products such as mobile phone contracts, this warning flag will be seen by the product/service provider (the CIFAS Member - such as a bank, building society or insurance provider). The Member is thus alerted and prompted to undertake additional verification checks to ascertain that the application is genuinely from you and not from a fraudster trying to commit identity theft. This may mean that you personally experience delays while your credentials are fully checked, but this is a small price to pay for the peace of mind you gain in return.

How do I apply?

Applications for and enquiries about CIFAS Protective Registration can be made in writing, by emailing protective.registration@cifas.org.uk or telephoning 0870 010 2091 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)

What about the loss of my data by a third party?

If a company has lost customers' data (for example, through the theft of a laptop), the CIFAS Bulk Protective Registration Service is a straightforward solution. It enables organisations to co-ordinate and submit the details of all those individuals who require protection, as a batch, to the CIFAS database. Before doing so, in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the organisation must inform those whose personal data has been lost or stolen about the data breach and that their personal data will be protected by CIFAS Protective Registration, giving them the opportunity to decline if they wish.

The service then works as detailed above (in the paragraph entitled "How does Protective Registration work?")

Full details of the service and its terms and conditions are available via cifas.org.uk/default.asp?edit_id=807-85

What does CIFAS get from running this service?

Nobody should profit from your loss, so CIFAS makes no money from Protective Registration. The administration fee simply covers the cost of setting up and running the service.