ID theft is a technique used by criminals allowing them to benefit financially through claiming they are you, for example taking out loans, applying for credit cards etc. all in your name.

One of the problems when attempting to tackle this type of fraud is that the are limited by resources, particularly when these criminals are working outside of the UK.

Doing all you can to avoid becoming a victim of ID theft is easier than you may think and being aware of the following points could save you a lot of grief.

1. Be sure to keep all important documents and financial related documents such as passports and bank statements in a safe place out of sight. These include official documents such as passports and driving licence documents, as well as financial documents such as bank and credit card statements, bank account details, insurance documents etc.
2. Frequently monitor your bank accounts and credit card statements to ensure there are no suspicious transactions. If possible, set up internet banking for all banking products as this will allow you to regularly check statements without having to wait for your monthly statements. Online banking is also very secure, with many banks now providing customers with card readers which generate pass codes that must be used when logging in to your account, or making a payment. If you do notice anything that looks suspicious, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately.
3. Buy a paper shredder. You can pick one up from £5 to £30 and you can use it to shred any official documents that you don’t need to keep. This includes bank statements, loan or credit card application forms and even junk mail containing any of your details i.e. name, address, telephone number etc. Simply throwing these documents away could result in them falling into the wrong hands.
4. Make sure you are aware of when your regular financial documents arrive, ensuring you are aware of anything out of the ordinary, for example you haven't received your credit card bill for 7 weeks.
5. At least once a year, apply for a copy of your credit file to check all current finance arrangements in your name, allowing you to spot anything unusual.
6. Never provide companies with sensitive information unless you are 100% certain that the company is legitimate. For example, you receive a call from somebody claiming to be your bank asking for details such as your full name, DOB and Mother's maiden name. These are types of information that fraudsters will want to get hold of, so be vigilant.
7. Never trust emails claiming to be your bank or Credit Card company. Some of these emails can look extremely convincing and the irony is that many of them claim to require your details to help tackle fraud. You can usually spot these emails as the URL that you are required to click may appear to be the official site, but on closer inspection you will see it is in fact close, by hovering your cursor over this link. You will then be re-directed to a spoof page that looks genuine but is actually used to steal your login details
8. When moving house, subscribe The Royal Mail’s redirection service. This will ensure all mail addressed to you ends up with you.
9. Check your bills as soon as they arrive in the post. If there's anything suspicious contact your bank or Credit Card company immediately.

There are a few main techniques employed by criminals to carry out ID theft. These include:

Bin Diving

Going through your bins searching for bills or other documents containing your personal information.

Skimming

Used to steal credit/debit card numbers using a special storage device. This can be avoided by keeping your card on you or in view when making payments.

Phishing

Claiming to be a legitimate financial institution to gain your trust then push you to reveal your personal information.

Changing Your Address

Diverting your bills, statements and other sensitive documents to another address by filling out a change of address form.

Old-Fashioned Stealing

Stealing wallets; mail etc. to get enough information about you.

Pretexting

Used to obtain personal information from a number of sources such as financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources by impersonating you

Once your personal information has been stolen by an identity thief, they can use it for a number of different things.

Credit card fraud:

• A new credit card can be applied for in your name. The card can then be used to get credit and all unpaid bills will appear on your credit report, damaging your credit history.
• By changing your address, they could run up charges on your account but you will be unaware as you are not getting the bills. It could be some time before you notice anything unusual.

Phone or utilities fraud:

• A new phone or wireless account could be opened in your name, or even utility services like electricity, water, or satellite television.

Bank fraud:

• Counterfeit checks made with your details.
• Bank accounts opened in your name.
• Credit or debit card cloned giving them access to your accounts.
• A loan taken out in your name.

Government documents fraud:

• Used to get official ID cards such as a driving licence under your name but with their picture.
• Use of your details to get government benefits.
• Fraudulent tax return made using your information.

Other fraud:

• Qualify for a job using your personal information
• Rent a property in your name.

These days, most banks have intelligent anti-fraud systems that recognise any unusual activity on your card, for example you withdraw money from a cash point in the UK and later that day money is withdrawn from an ATM  in Canada. 

When taking out a credit card, you will probably find that you are offered some kind of anti-theft insurance to protect you against fraud. But the fact is that ID theft is heavily promoted and sometimes over exaggerated to help sell the product.

A spokesman from the UK's fraud Prevention Service - the CIFAS, has ID theft is still a relatively rare crime, but it is on the increase.

So as long as you’re cautious with who you give your personal information to, keeping it in a safe place, shred all unwanted documents containing your information, you should remain safe from fraud.

In the ideal world people could post their information and make online purchases without having to worry too much about online credit card fraud. However with so many online e-stores wanting to sell to customers it is clear why such a trend of online credit card fraud can be a problem. 

What people fail to understand is that everyone is trying to make money. If you are an e-merchant then you should aim to protect yourself from online credit card fraud. Most buyers are legitimate but those that want to get something for nothing are often the cause of fear and panic in society. Their ignorance and greed causes them to partake in online credit card fraud.

It is therefore very important that you do not end up a victim. The best way to ensure that you are not a victim of online credit card fraud is to always check your statements. It is clear that most people are not so keen on opening their credit card statements, but in order to know what you are being billed for you will have to take that responsibility.

Where Your Money Goes So Does Online Credit Card Fraud

It will also make more aware of where and how you are spending your money. Most credit card companies want to protect their customers from online credit card fraud but they cannot do this unless they know that it is happening.

You also have to be very wary of the websites that you purchase your items on. Check if they have real security and card protection. Remember that it is your hard earned money at stake and in the end you will be the one having to prove that you did not purchase certain items that will show up on your bill.

Online credit card fraud is more common than you might think but millions are stolen each year from credit cards and the owners don’t realize it until it is too late.

It is not only on the online base that you can become victim of credit card identity theft. If you are not cautious with your pin and you personal information then you can end up part of the vast amount of people who have been victims of online credit card fraud.

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Most of the identity theft statistics also show that people can have their identities stolen through people rummaging through their rubbish bin. People often don’t take too much care on how they dispose of their bank statements letters or personal information contained in their resumes.

In this you can easily see that these identity theft statistics prove than investing in a cheap shredder. Internets identity theft can be preventing through installing and using firewall on you PC. There are many avenues that perpetrators use to get hold of your personal details. Therefore getting yourself off mailing lists can help in cutting down the identity theft statistics.

Your mail can be stolen from your mailbox so always ensure that you have a proper mailbox, ideally your mail should be mailed inside your house. There are many ways that you can help in cutting down the identity theft statistics and protecting yourself means that you have less heartache down the line.

Public Computers Can Make You Part Of The Identity Theft Statistics

The government agencies are really keen on getting accurate identity theft statistics as they understand that the better they are informed about how identity theft is happening and where the better they are at equipping us with the right information.

There is no need for you to fall victim to scrupulous individuals who do not care what they do with your identity and what the consequences are to you. The greatest fear is that terrorist activities are getting funded through identity theft.

Furthermore people are making claims using identity theft and raking in millions. It is costing some countries billions of dollars to combat these identity theft statistics, as people are finding themselves suddenly on the wrong side of the law without even contributing to it.

Always aim to know about your finances and passwords are important. Try not to use public computers if you intend to check out personal information like online baking. Always keep your password in a safe place and make it impossible to guess by using a scrap word whereby you jumble up a lot of letters and have your password in there so no-one can guess. These entire things will hep in keeping the identity theft statistics low and therefore protect more people from becoming victims.

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Persons can use stolen information to obtain a driver’s license and if stopped for a traffic violation and simply not show up in court, leaving the victim to answer to the charges. While most policies for ID theft insurance center on recouping the financial losses associated with these case, ID theft insurance can also help pay for legal assistance when it is needed.

Like most types of insurance ID theft insurance comes in many forms and from many different sources. When looking for coverage it is important to choose a reputable company as well as the type of coverage that will most likely affect the individual. Those who travel frequently or use the internet for frequent purchases may want to consider ID theft insurance that covers them against unlawful purchases made on their behalf.

Keeping Personal Information Out Of Cyber Space

With more people choosing to shop online as well as perform many financial functions over the internet online identity theft continues to be a growing problem. Many people have become comfortable with sharing their information with companies online and often do not think anything bad will happen to them. Having ID theft insurance might also make them feel a little more relaxed, opening themselves to exploitation by others who only want their good name for their own purposes.

Utilities often require confirmed information when opening new accounts and many utility companies are not as strict as most lenders. For many victims of ID theft insurance policies can help cover any losses due to charges being made in their name. Most ID theft insurance companies also recommend not buying the policy on the internet unless the company is well known to the individual.

Businesses can also take advantage of ID theft insurance to protect the reputation of their business from nefarious individuals who, if left to their own devices, can soon own the business or run it into the ground.

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Most financial institutions will never ask for personal or other protected information over the phone or in an email. They will usually send snail mail to request any needed information and even if they call, they will not ask for personal information over the phone. To help protect against identify theft remember that your bank or credit card company will not call and ask for information they should already have.

If they say they need it for verification purposes, tell them to give you want they have and if they cannot, chances are it is an attempt to steal the information from you. Learning to protect against identify theft is of growing importance as more individuals are sifting through the trash as well as phishing for information they can use with which to perpetrate their method of crime.

Protecting Identity Same As Protecting Cash

What many people do not realize is that protecting your personal information should be done with the same zeal as protecting your cash. Consider that the inability to protect against identify theft will give others the opportunity to take over your financial life, and could also give them the means to take over other areas of your life as well.

With the information in hand, a person can obtain a new driver's license in your name, register a vehicle in your name and basically become you to just about any business. However, no matter how stringent the steps taken to protect against identify theft, there is still the chance that someone could get their hands on the information. To help reduce the cost of fighting back, ID theft insurance is available.

However, even knowing your are covered for many losses, the time and destructive nature of the consequences recommends that you take appropriate steps to protect against identify theft by only providing personal information for those with an established need to know.

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People seem to have no qualms about displaying all their personal details. In most countries it is not very hard to find out information about people just through their date of birth and home address. These people who partake in online identity theft have no morals and will do whatever it takes to fund their own needs and most of us are easy targets without even knowing it.

Most people seem unaware that once they put their personal information on display then they are also putting themselves at risk of online identity theft. However there are secure ways of paying for online goods that will put you less at risk such as using paypal and e-gold and such widely used online financial institutes that have already developed strategies to help combat online identity theft.

Online Identity Theft Is Not Only Virtual Heartache

The key is being cautious about where you display your information. The major problem with online identity theft is that you become vulnerable as anyone with the wrong intentions could use your identity to perhaps get a credit card, a loan.

The fear of this is that mostly terrorist groups would take on such an endeavour and this often leaves you holding the bill. You could indirectly find yourself funding terrorists activities, just because you were willing to give your information to any website that requested it.

The problem is that if someone does use your identity to take out a credit card you are the one left paying the bill. People are too willing and trusting of the million websites that require you to put in your information.

It is not hard for people who really want something to find it and if they want to use your identity then they will. It is better to be safe than end up part of the identity theft statistics.

In ensuring the safety and comfort of society the government needs our help in assisting them with the rising cost of the online identity theft. The problem is that this money funds global criminal organizations which in turn come back to vandalize or terrorize our countries. All it takes is some proactive action whereby you do not display your personal information as if it does not mean anything.

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In order to stop identity theft people must take on the attitude that their personal information, such as name, social security number and driver license information are the most valuable assets they have. With this information I hand, it is easy to assume someone else’s identity and take control over their life. They can obtain a new social security card and file for address changes, insuring it will take longer for the theft to become apparent.

Consistently checking a person’s credit history can also help stop identity theft. Attempts to open new accounts in their name will be revealed and the credit bureaus can put a hold on a person’s access to credit information, providing they can prove they are whom they say they are, and show they want to do this to help stop identity theft.

Keeping Personal Information Private

One of the best ways to protect against identity theft is to understand the value of the information. Many people conduct business online and presume that companies are safeguarding their personal information. With many online companies taking stringent steps to protect their customer’s privacy and stop identity theft, criminals are turning to methods that often result in the individual revealing their information willingly.

Phishing is a common scam among crooks with which they send an email to a person that looks like an official notification from their financial institution. They may even say they are working with them to stop identity theft and include a link to their security site to help access the site for security purposes. However, instead of helping the customer stop identity theft, they are actually looking for account information, including passwords, with which to drain their account.

People should never give their personal information on a site included in an email nor over the telephone. Just because someone calls and claims they need to verify information does not make it a legitimate call. In order to stop identity theft everyone needs to guard their personal information with their life as it is their financial life that is at stake.

Go here for more about Identity Theft Facts and Avoid Identity Theft

In order to stop identity theft people must take on the attitude that their personal information, such as name, social security number and driver license information are the most valuable assets they have. With this information I hand, it is easy to assume someone else’s identity and take control over their life. They can obtain a new social security card and file for address changes, insuring it will take longer for the theft to become apparent.

Consistently checking a person’s credit history can also help stop identity theft. Attempts to open new accounts in their name will be revealed and the credit bureaus can put a hold on a person’s access to credit information, providing they can prove they are whom they say they are, and show they want to do this to help stop identity theft.

Keeping Personal Information Private

One of the best ways to protect against identity theft is to understand the value of the information. Many people conduct business online and presume that companies are safeguarding their personal information. With many online companies taking stringent steps to protect their customer’s privacy and stop identity theft, criminals are turning to methods that often result in the individual revealing their information willingly.

Phishing is a common scam among crooks with which they send an email to a person that looks like an official notification from their financial institution. They may even say they are working with them to stop identity theft and include a link to their security site to help access the site for security purposes. However, instead of helping the customer stop identity theft, they are actually looking for account information, including passwords, with which to drain their account.

People should never give their personal information on a site included in an email nor over the telephone. Just because someone calls and claims they need to verify information does not make it a legitimate call. In order to stop identity theft everyone needs to guard their personal information with their life as it is their financial life that is at stake.

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With the number of incidents of identity theft continuing to rise, it is important to know the most effective methods to stop identity theft from happening to you, especially younger people, since about 25 percent of all incidents of identity theft occur to people under 30-years-old. Reporting it as soon as it is discovered is essential and contacting an identity theft attorney quickly can also help avoid many penalties that may be thrust upon the victim.

It hardly seems fair that the victim has to undertake the financial burden and well as the time involved to regain control of their own identity, but in many ways it can be done quicker by using the services of an experienced identity theft attorney. Especially if there are legal ramifications stemming from the use of your name that could end up with problems with law enforcement.

Victims Should Not Face Court Alone

For example, if you are accused of committing a crime and law enforcement doubts your claim that you are the victim of identity theft; an identity theft attorney may be able to guide you in the best means of proving who you are. If you reported the illegal use of your name and other identifying information immediately, chances is better that your record can be cleared sooner.

However, proving identity theft can be difficult as some agencies take the claim as someone attempting to get out of paying their bills or facing other obligations by claiming it was not them that committed the act. Having an identity theft attorney on your side can help prove your case not only in court, but also with the three credit reporting agencies, check-clearing companies and with many creditors. It also allows you a better understanding of your individual rights in the event you are the victim of identity theft.

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Since it does take a lot of time to clear things up after you report identity theft, it is important that you take action right away. The sooner you move the sooner things will be taken care of and your credit report will be back to the way it was before your identity was stolen. Never allow yourself to be convinced that you do not need to report identity theft even if it was someone you know or are related to. The marks on your report will last for many years and you can find yourself financially responsible for the credit that was taken out simply because you did not report identity theft.

Steps To Take Quickly

The first thing you would want to do when it is time to report identity theft is to contact the police so that they can make a report. This will help in capturing the person who took your identity and used it to their advantage. After you report identity theft to the police, you are going to want to contact all of the credit reporting agencies. When you report identity theft to them there are several things that can happen. First, they can start to take action on clearing up your credit report from things that you had nothing to do with.

Then they can actually make notation on your credit report stating that you did report identity theft so that no other creditors give out more credit until this situation is resolved. Also, when you report identity theft, it is a good idea to ask to make your own notation on your report which is something that you are legally permitted to do. In this notation you will advise of the theft and that you are working hard to resolve the issue at hand. By simply remembering these steps you will be ready if you ever have to report identity theft.

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