A fraudster finds any piece of information relating to their victim useful, and may use a variety of means to get hold of it. Even the most mundane of documents or details help the fraudster build up a false identity.

There is no typical profile of a victim - they are usually chosen at random, but if you have good credit history and are not careful with your personal details, you may be more vulnerable than others.

There are common tactics used by fraudsters, and by following the simple advice below you can minimise the risk of your personal details being stolen and used fraudulently:

General tips
Giving away your data
Your documents
Credit cards
Moving home
At work
Travelling or moving abroad
 
General Tips

• Treat your personal data as 'confidential' - don't give it away easily.
• Destroy any document showing your name, address or other details before discarding. This includes documents such as bank statements, utility bills, pre-filled application forms, chequebook stubs, debit or credit card transaction receipts, even envelopes or a letterhead showing an address. These are all potentially useful to a fraudster who wouldn't think twice about rifling through your rubbish, or 'Bin Raiding'. Most good stationers sell competitively priced domestic paper shredders.
• Check your bank / credit card statements promptly. Report any transactions you don't recognise to the card issuer, even if they are only for small amounts.
• Scrutinise your credit file (or credit report) for accuracy. Check for unauthorised activity, such as new accounts you didn't open, credit searches by companies you haven't dealt with or address links to addresses you don't recognise. You can arrange to receive your credit file regularly to monitor credit applications made in your name.
• Make sure you formally close any accounts you no longer require. Dormant accounts may be reactivated by a fraudster without your knowledge.

Giving Away Your Data

• Always be wary of those soliciting your personal information, even friendly or official-looking people who stop you in the street or call at your home. Ask yourself:
  Who wants my information - am I sure they are genuine?
  Do they really need my personal details?
• Letters, faxes or emails: If you receive letters or emails requesting personal details, such as your PIN numbers, passwords, pass codes etc., check they are genuine, and check that the company that is requesting the information is genuine. A legitimate financial institution would never request these details from their customers in this way. If you do not believe the request is genuine, where possible avoid replying; fraudsters may see your response as a sign they have made contact with a potential victim.
• Telephone canvassers - why are they calling you? Never give information to an unknown caller who can't prove their identity, even if they do claim to be from your bank. Politely offer to call them back if you have any suspicions.
• Be sure you are dealing with a genuine and legitimate company before giving them any account details, particularly if they have approached you.
• Never disclose or write down (or even store in your mobile phone) your personal identification number (PIN) or online passwords.
• Where possible, avoid disclosing your mother's maiden name or using it as a password - it may be easily discovered. Consider using a less obvious word or name instead.
• Avoid signing up for junk mail. Consider registering for the Mail Preference Service and/or the Telephone Preference Service to reduce the amount of unsolicited correspondence you receive.
  

Your Documents

• Keep all your important documents, such as your passport, driving licence, birth/marriage certificate, in a safe place (but not all together if possible). They are as valuable to a criminal as electrical equipment or jewellery and can be easily sold to an identity fraudster.
• Keep an eye on your bills and statements and make a note of when they should be arriving. Fraudsters have been known to take over their victims' bank accounts and change the address. If your bills or statements don't arrive, inform the organisation concerned.
• Protect your post - if you use a central or communal delivery point, collect your post as soon as possible after delivery. If items of mail regularly fail to arrive, report this to Royal Mail.
• If an important document goes astray - for example your passport or driving licence, inform the relevant bodies immediately. Report it to the Police if it is stolen.
• Try to limit the documents you carry around with you - and if possible do not leave personal documents in your vehicle.

Credit Cards

• Treat your cards as if they there were cash and sign any new cards as soon as you receive them.
• Keep a list of all your credit cards (along with account details) so you can notify card issuers quickly in the event they are lost or stolen.
• Consider making use of a card protection scheme - for a small fee you can register all your bank and credit cards with the scheme. In the event your cards are lost or stolen, they will contact the card suppliers on your behalf. Ask your bank or credit card issuer to recommend a suitable scheme.

Moving Home

• If you move home, inform all the relevant organisations of your change in address. To make sure all your credit accounts move with you, get a copy of your credit file. This ensures you identify all of your accounts and don't forget those you may not have used for a while.
• Consider using a Royal Mail Re-direct for at least a year to make sure all post is forwarded to your new address.
• Contact your local authority and enrol on the Electoral Register (also known as the Voters Roll) for your new address as soon as you can.
• Don't tempt those moving into your old address - a replacement storecard or a mail order catalogue arriving at your old address is a gift to a fraudster.

At Work

• Most employers store personal data relating to their staff:
  Double check that your records are kept in a secure location.
  Find out who has access to your details at work - they should only be accessed by other employees for legitimate reasons.

Travelling or Moving Abroad

• If you plan to be away from the UK for some time, inform your bank and other relevant organisations.
• Make sure any post sent to your UK address is dealt with securely. Consider contacting the Royal Mail about its 'Keepsafe' service.
• Treat your plastic cards, travellers cheques and passports as securely as you would cash. Always keep them in your hand luggage when travelling - suitcases and rucksacks may go out of sight.
• Make use of safety deposit boxes, if possible.
• Be wary of leaving documents in your car.