What is Identity theft?

Identity theft is when your personal details are used to order products or apply for credit in your name.

Thieves can obtain your details by physically stealing your mail or exploiting data stolen from websites and published online.

Have my details been stolen?

Signs that someone else is using your personal details:

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Letters for credit you didn't sign up for

• Credit cards
• Bank accounts

Searches on your credit report

• see checking your credit report to find out [/boxout]

Checking your credit report

There are 3 major credit bureaus in the UK: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

You can get free access to all of these online:

You can sign up to Credit Karma	You can sign up directly with Experian.	You can sign up to ClearScore.

Checking for data leaks

Have I been Pwned is a service that will let you see how often your online accounts get leaked.

Stop thieves getting your details

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Guard your mail

• If you have a separate postbox check it regularly
• Check all your letters to see if any are applications
• Use paperless billing to reduce your exposure to theft

Guard your rubbish

• Remove addresses from your envelopes
• Shred your letters [/boxout]

Paperless billing

Every letter that does not come thorough your mailbox is another letter that cannot be stolen

Go though your bill providers and see which ones will send you bills as PDFs instead.

Guard your personal details online

What information are websites asking for and do they really need it. When taking out credit providers check details like your middle name and date of birth which many websites ask for but few need.

These details are often leaked onto the internet letting thieves download them and use them to apply for credit, commit fraud or attempt to hack your other accounts.