With just a few of your personal details from your dustbin, your PC, even your mail, an identity thief can open credit cards, arrange loans and make purchases in your name, without you knowing. Scams are getting increasingly sophisticated, we all think we're too smart to be caught out but it can happen to the best of us.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself from Identity Theft:
- Shred anything that contains personal information, including letters, bills and receipts so it can't fall into the wrong hands. If you move home:
- - Tell your bank, credit card providers, mobile phone operators etc
- - Make sure you set up a Royal Mail redirect to your new address
- Close any accounts you don't use anymore
- Check your credit file regularly
- If you think any of your post is missing or stolen contact the Royal Mail
- If you share your mailbox make sure you check and collect any items regularly