National Identity Fraud Prevention Week

It is estimated that over 18 million UK households could be failing to protect themselves from identity fraud. To combat one of Britain’s fastest growing crimes the 3rd-ever National Identity Fraud Prevention Week will be launched from 17th – 23rd October.

The purpose of this awareness drive is to warn of the dangers of identity fraud and outline simple steps that anybody can take to protect themselves. National Identity Fraud Prevention Week is an initiative launched by leading UK organisations: including the Metropolitan Police, Crimestoppers, CIFAS and Fellowes to name a few.

Identity fraud occurs when a criminal uses somebody else’s personal information or pretends to be someone else in order to fraudulently obtain goods, services, or other financial advantages, such as benefits.

Identity fraud includes using stolen credit cards, stealing credit card account details without actually having the card itself, taking over someone else’s bank account or setting up fake bank accounts, or even securing a passport in someone else’s name.

It is known that organised criminal gangs operating in and around Britain pay bin raiders for each document that contains an individual’s personal details. They then use this information against the victim to create a “credit clone”.The National Identity Fraud Prevention Week is aimed at bringing attention to some of the steps that can be taken to protect yourself from identity theft and these include:

• Keeping your personal and confidential documents secure. Never give out any personal information to unidentified individuals or organisations who contact you by phone, email or face-to-face.
• Always remember to shred documentation (like bank and credit card statements, utility bills, receipts, direct mail containing any personal information, mortgage applications and any document that has any personal information about you), before disposing of it. ABT has a huge selection of Paper Shredders ideal for small and large business, as well as for personal use. Click here to view the range of shredders you can use to protect yourself from id fraud.
• Regularly check your bank and credit card accounts for unusual transactions and obtain a copy of your credit report from credit reference agencies.
• If you move home make sure to redirect your mail to your new address by contacting Royal Mail Redirection Service on 0845 7740 740, or visiting your local post office or www.royalmail.com
• If you discover that you have been a victim of identity fraud you must contact your nearest Police station or visit www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/ , and if possible also consider subscribing to the CIFAS Protective Registration service. By doing so a notice will be placed on your credit file indicating that documents have been stolen and that you may therefore be at risk of identity fraud.

Don’t forget that prevention is better than cure.