Money Matters: 3 Ways To Protect Against Identity Theft

Our expert Rebecca Gamble helps make your cash go further

- Rebecca Gamble

Cases of identity fraud rose by nearly a fifth last year compared to 2018, according to Cifas, the UK’s fraud prevention service. Here’s its advice on how to stop it happening to you.

1 Take simple steps

Identity fraud occurs when fraudsters steal personal data to impersonate victims or create fake identities, often to open new accounts or obtain products. To protect yourself, never give out any of your personal or financial details if you receive an unsolicited call or email, even if it appears legitimate. Never reply or use the contact details provided either. In addition, never click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails. You should also shred all unwanted documents like bank statements or any correspondence including your name.

2 Be savvy on social media

Be careful with sharing personal details on social media. There are currently a large number of fake adverts, quizzes and offers of giveaways circulating on social media that ask for your personal information. They might seem like a bit of harmless fun but it’s important to bear in mind all of this information can be put together to harvest details that can be used for identity theft. It’s also essential to ensure the security settings on all of your devices are up to date, as well as privacy

3 Stay alert and report