Neighbourhood Alert – Identity Fraud
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Identity fraud involves the misuse of any individual’s personal details to commit crime. Your details are valuable to criminals and can be misused by them, or sold on to others. If criminals obtain your data, it may be used to obtain credit cards or bank accounts in your name, as well as numerous other financial products.
Criminals can also use your stolen information to gain access to the funds in your bank accounts, saving accounts or pension. Your details can be obtained in a number of ways, from letters or bank statements you throw away, to information stolen from your computer or mobile device.
If you become a victim of identity fraud, it may severely affect your credit rating and it can take a significant amount of time to rectify this.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Sign up to a reputable credit rating agency. After doing so you will be notified when a credit check is completed using your details. This can identify if someone is using your details without your knowledge.
You can apply to be on the Cifas Protective Registration Service for a fee, which places a flag next to your name and personal details in their secure National Fraud Database. Companies and organisations who have signed up as members of the database can see you’re at risk and take extra steps to protect you, preventing criminals from using your details to apply for products or services.
Use a redirection service when moving to a new home such as the one provided by the Royal Mail as well as informing your bank, card company and other important organisations of your new address.
If you start to receive post from an organisation you don’t know, once you have checked they are genuine, contact them to find out why it is being sent to you.
Be careful if other people have access to your post. Contact Royal Mail if you think your post is being stolen.
Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails or text messages claiming to be from your bank or your phone provider. Particularly if they are requesting personal information such as dates of birth or passwords.
Review your bank and credit statements for any suspicious activity.
Install software on your computer and mobile devices to prevent malicious software being downloaded. Make sure you update when prompted.
Do not open attachments or click on links in unexpected emails. This can lead to malicious software being downloaded onto your device or your info being harvested from fraudulent websites you are directed to.
Make sure you dispose of any documents, which contain personal information securely, either shredding or burning etc.
Provide as little personal information about yourself of social media as possible and only accept invitations from people you know.
Message Sent By
Dawn James
(Police, Neighbourhood Administrator, Windsor & Maidenhead)
