Identity Fraud

The terms ‘Identity Fraud’ it would appear were not an unheard of problem even in Shakespeare’s era.

‘But he that filches from my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed’

Othello, Act iii Scene 3.

In more modern times according to various sources the threat of identity theft and the use of such stolen identity details to commit a fraud cost the UK economy in excess of £1.3 billion per annum.

Without a doubt better crime prevention strategies are required and our Forensic Services Manager has complied the following 10 point plan as an aide-de-memoir to help you a possible victim of identity fraud.

1. Maintain a minimum of credit cards if possible. Minimise the amount of information criminals can steal.
2. Avoid carrying multiple credit cards, passport, birth certificate, drivers licence or national insurance number information together in the same wallet, purse or case. Never leave them unattended.
3. If when using any form of credit or debit card to purchase goods or a service, do not lose sight of the card. Note how it is handled by staff and so avoid the possibility of it being copied.
4. Keep a copy of all details of bank and credit card account numbers separate at home together with the telephone numbers of those respective financial fraud departments so that they can be contacted quickly should fraudulent transactions be identified.
5. When creating a PIN for any credit facility system avoid the obvious such as those incorporating date of birth or home address number.
6. Protect your PIN, never reveal it to unwanted sources and always avoid the possibility of it being copied by persons for instance at cash machines or supermarket checkouts.
7. Never throw away financial transaction slips of any kind. Effectively destroy all financial information including old statements, cheque stubs and invoicing before disposal.
8. Seek to remove all information from the held marketing lists of credit reference against agencies such as Experian, Equifax and Callcredit. This limits the number of credit offers received, having been delivered from those credit reference agencies. The ditching of such offers into the dustbin could allow thieves a rich source of information.
9. When using any internet facility ensure adequate protection facilities are used to prevent hacking of your computer. Do not allow software to record passwords for future online usage.
10. Avoid opening unsolicited and unrecognised e-mails and do not respond to online solicitations for personal information.