Identity theft is when someone takes your personal information to trick others into believing that they are you. Thankfully, the UK law for identity theft can protect those who have become victims of these crimes. However, cybercriminals are always finding new ways to get you to hand your information over.

Criminals will often steal someone's identity for financial gain. So, if someone does get hold of your details, it can cause a lot of distress if they take money from your bank account. They can even get out loans in your name, using your address. This can cause stress if you're bombarded with letters for credit cards or loans taken out in your name, or if you notice the money has been taken from your account.

Identity theft can cause a lot of stress for many people. This is why the UK law for identity theft has been put in place so that it can help keep everyone protected.

A cybercriminal simply needs your…

• Name

• Address

• Date of birth

This information alone is enough for someone to impersonate or clone you. But with so many of us using social media and sharing personal details about ourselves, as well as trusting other users online and handing over information that they are asking for (despite having no proof they are genuine), cybercriminals can get hold of even more information.

Signs someone is stealing my online identity

• Letters being sent to your address for credit cards or unpaid loans.

• A letter being sent about a new account being opened in the name that you know you never requested.

• Criminals might not have letters sent to your address, so look out for a change in credit score.

• Money being taken from your account. Though most cybercriminals will take out a large sum of money, some cybercriminals might take out small amounts over months or years, so that you don't suspect anything.

• Notifications that someone has logged into your accounts, or even been kicked out of your accounts.

How can I protect myself from identity theft?

We have outlined just a few of the ways you can protect yourself from identity theft.

• Keep personal documents such as passports, driving licenses, and bank statements in a secure place.

• Shred any paperwork that contains personal information. This goes for home paperwork and any paperwork in the office.

• Watch out for phishing emails or texts. This is one of the easiest ways a cybercriminal will get hold of your details. Never send someone your details over email, even if you suspect them to be genuine. All it takes is for someone to hack that account for cybercriminals to stumble across your email containing all your personal information.

• Use a strong password on all your accounts. If you're using weak passwords, a cybercriminal can guess it and have access to a wide range of information.

• Avoid giving your personal information over the phone. A genuine company should never pressure you to hand in personal information over the phone. Any company you are doing business with should already have your information from when you signed up with them. So, if they are asking for this information again, or they seem suspicious, hang up immediately.

• Keep social media accounts private. This is one of the easiest ways someone can take your online identity. If you're using passwords that contain information you post on social media e.g., your pet’s name, we advise you to restrict who can view this as it’s one of the first things a cybercriminal will try when trying to access your account.

• Practise safe browsing. If you're using a website that isn't ‘HTTPS’ secure and you're entering personal details, then you risk someone intercepting this and obtaining them. It's also really easy for cybercriminals to manipulate and create websites that look identical to genuine companies. So, always be careful giving out details online.

What should I do if I think I’m the victim of identity theft?

If you think you're the victim of identity theft, you need to report this as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the more you increase the risk of being liable for any financial loss. Here is what you need to do:

• Report any missing documents that contain your details such as your driving license or passport.

• Call or visit your bank if you notice any unusual transactions in your account.

• Report anything suspicious to the police.

• Get in touch with Action Fraud who can advise you on the next steps.

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