How Do I Avoid Identity Fraud?

Identity fraud has always existed, people have always assumed other people's identities in order to gain profit or advantage.  With the advent of the computer database and the internet, our personal details are being commonly stored by companies all over the world.

Don't give your personal details over to anyone unless you are absolutely one hundred percent sure they are genuine.  It's more likely that banks will call you now and often ask for your security details to check your identity.  In this situation, I ask for their name and say that I will call them back.  I then contact the bank and deal with them directly myself.

Use a shredder that all but destroys the paper items, paying less than £20 for a shredder could save you thousands of pounds in fraudulently obtained debt.

Never reply to bank emails.  Any bank that could email you would be happy for you to call them.

Does your mail go missing?  Start worrying, people steal mail just for this purpose.   Someone in my family is a postal worker, and thieves once stole the whole post van!