| Shredding personal documents is considered a very | | | | payment. All machines are portable and there is no |
| important part of home and personal security. In a | | | | need for a member of staff to take a card from |
| world where identity theft has become a reality, | | | | you. There are many card cloning machines that can |
| disposing of sensitive information with bank details or | | | | be tucked into an apron front or hidden under a |
| national insurance details or addresses and dates of | | | | counter where your card may be swiped in seconds |
| birth is essential self protection. | | | | without you ever realising. |
| The repercussions of identity theft can leave a bank | | | | Signs of identity theft |
| account drained, credit cards filled and your name | | | | If you have not been a victim of a direct crime such |
| black listed for years to come. It's not just your | | | | as mugging or burglary, you may not realise that you |
| current assets that you need to worry about being | | | | have had your identity stolen. There are however a |
| hijacked either; personal information can be used to | | | | number of checks you can make and signs to be |
| set up new accounts, obtain driving licenses and get | | | | aware of. Firstly, always check your bank statements |
| passports issued or even claim social security | | | | for any transactions that you may not have made. |
| benefits. | | | | You do not have to have had your card stolen for |
| How to protect yourself | | | | people to be able to use your account; all that is |
| The way to protect yourself from identity theft is to | | | | needed is key information that could be got from |
| establish a routine that ensures all your personal | | | | card cloning or stolen bank statements. |
| information is safe. Invest in a home paper shredder | | | | A tell tale sign that sensitive information has been |
| to destroy any printed documents before they go in | | | | stolen is if you start receiving bills for services you |
| the bin. It is wise to shred documents vertically, | | | | have not used, or for products you have not bought. |
| otherwise there could be whole lines of text with | | | | If you make a claim for a loan or credit card and get |
| sensitive information on, and there is a possibility of a | | | | turned down yet know you have a good credit |
| fraudster reconstructing your documents to obtain | | | | history, it may be worth checking your credit file in |
| information. | | | | detail to ensure accounts have not been set up in |
| Exercise caution if you live in shared accommodation. | | | | your name. It is cheap and easy to get your credit |
| You may not know who you are sharing a letterbox | | | | history details; just look for a credit reference |
| with; therefore not know who can get access to | | | | agency and don't expect to pay any more than a |
| bank statements with personal information on. You | | | | couple of pounds to get the information posted to |
| can always arrange to collect statements, bank cards | | | | you. |
| and cheque books from your local branch to avoid a | | | | What to do if you are a victim of identity theft |
| breach of home security. It is also essential to | | | | If you discover any irregularities in a credit file or |
| protect yourself online too. If you are using a shared | | | | bank statement get in touch with the relative |
| computer make sure the settings are not saving | | | | companies immediately to inform them that an |
| passwords or pin numbers that others may be able | | | | account or name has been used fraudulently. If you |
| to access and only use trusted websites for making | | | | are receiving postal information regarding products or |
| online purchases. | | | | services you have neither bought nor used, get in |
| When out and about at restaurants and pubs, always | | | | touch with the relative organisation and the police. |
| make sure no one takes your card from you for | | | | |