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Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the UK, but
there are several steps that you can take to either prevent it happening to you,
and detect it quickly enough if despite your efforts you become a victim. The
first step to ensure that your details don't become public knowledge is to
destroy any paperwork, bank or credit card statements especially. Shredders,
once the domain of large companies, are now available reasonably priced from
many sources, once shredded it would take an expert to put it back together, and
most criminals don't like hard work.
Another obvious one is to make sure your computer is secure,
if you tend to leave it on, make sure the screensaver has a password, and
preferably either log off or lock it. There are lots of security and anti-virus
systems on the market, make sure you have one installed and KEPT UP TO DATE, the
£30 -£40 cost is negligable compared to the money you could lose if a hacker got
into your machine. Just as a trial I put my laptop on the Internet without any
protection as a trial, it took less than 30 seconds for a hackers robot to find
and infect it.
Sign up with your Bank and Credit Card online services, and keep an eye
on your transactions direct, that way you can soon spot any strange transactions
and stop them before they go through, you don't have to wait until your
Statements come through the post. Incidentally if you are in business and use
Quickbooks, there are two excellent software utilities to import your statements
and check them direct into your accounts. There is a 30 day trial available, and
once you have tried them you won't hesitate to buy.
eZ Account Import
Using eZ Account Import you can quickly read, review and import QIF, QFX or OFX files into QuickBooks. The simple user interface displays the transactions in the file, your current account / vendor / customer lists from QuickBooks and allows you to select which transactions to import as cheques, deposits, payments or bill payments.
eZ Credit Card Import
Using eZ Credit Card Import you can quickly read, review and import credit card transactions in QIF, QFX or OFX files into QuickBooks. The simple user interface displays your current QuickBooks account and vendor lists and allows the importing of transactions as charges or credits into QuickBooks. It also allows you to set whether transactions have VAT applied.
The final step is to register with one of the Credit
Reference agencies, you can do it online, and they will let you know of any
unusual activity on your cards.
What is identity fraud?
What would you do if your credit cards were stolen? If goods that you did
not purchase were charged to your credit accounts? If unauthorised credit
accounts were opened in your name?
These actions are typical examples of identity fraud, where criminals steal
victims' identities in order to take over their credit accounts or to open
new accounts in their names.
Most of us have never experienced identity fraud and many of us may be unconcerned
and believe we're not affected by it. But we are.
Identity fraud affects everyone
Identity fraud is on the increase and is the UK’s fastest growing
crime. According to the Cabinet Office, identity fraud costs the UK at least
£1.3bn every year and is one of the more difficult frauds to combat.
The trouble with a successful fraud is that both consumers and lenders are
fooled. Although lenders are employing ever-more sophisticated methods to
spot fraudsters, people who are targeted by fraudsters often take up to
14 months to realise they are victims of identity fraud.
When criminals buy goods and services on credit using false information,
we all pay through higher prices and more expensive credit terms, even if
our own accounts are untouched. And when someone is victimised by a particularly
successful scam, criminals are more likely to continue cheating others using
similar fraudulent operations.
Some typical scams
The rise in Internet usage has meant an increase in the number of online
scams. Here are some examples:
The Nigerian scams
The fraudsters send emails to people telling them they can release a fortune
that is tied up in an African bank by allowing them to transfer the money
into the person’s account. In return, the person will be given a share
of the profits.
Another variation on this is an email supposedly from the widow of a high-ranking
Nigerian official pleading for the recipient to help her access her late
husband’s money. Again, the recipient is asked for their bank details.
The catch with these scams is, of course, that rather than money going into
the person’s bank account, the fraudsters clean out them out using
the details sent to them.
Phishing
This form of fraud has made headlines recently, with Barclays, Lloyds TSB,
Natwest and even the Bank of England affected.
Barclays customers were sent emails saying that the bank was making technical
changes. There was a link to go to a page where customers were prompted
to enter their account details
Lloyds TSB customers received emails saying their accounts would be cancelled
due to a new security measure unless they went to a site and entered their
details
Natwest, Halifax and Nationwide customers were sent emails saying they needed
to verify their accounts by going to a site and entering their details.
An email supposedly sent from the Bank of England urged people to download
anti-virus software
The fraudsters set up "spoof" email addresses that look like they
could credibly belong to the institution. Once they have received account
details, they siphon money out via "mules" – people with
UK accounts – to their own accounts abroad. These scams are believed
to be run from Eastern Europe.
Lottery and prize draw wins
Emails are sent out to people telling them they’ve won a lottery or
prize draw and they need to send a payment for "administrative"
or some other purpose in order to claim their winnings. Of course, there
is no prize...
CreditExpert is an online service offered by Experian that monitors your
credit report and alerts you if anything changes.
Click here for a free 30-day trial and a free
copy of your credit report |
EQUIFAX
As one of the UK’s leading credit reference agencies, Equifax is committed to helping consumers get the best from their credit and protect themselves from the dangers of identity theft.
EUROFFICE's
Advert says it all, one of the suppliers I regularly
use for some of my office supplies.
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Myhome247, Home security
With myhome247.co.uk, you have the potential of an exciting new technology to protect your home. Individually tailored home security and a varied range of products that can be controlled remotely via a PC or compatible mobile phone, suitable for both home and office. Most of our products are exclusive to myhome247.co.uk and are great value to the consumer.
MACAFEE Internet Security products are sold with all of Dell's
machines, though I use Symantec for my network, Macafee always get good reviews
in the magazines.
CHILD LOCATE
ChildLocate enables parents to locate their children's mobile phones anywhere in the UK for only
£1.35 per week. ChildLocate is the leading UK provider of mobile location services and has been featured on ITV, BBC, The Telegraph and FT to name a few. With thousands of new subscribers, ChildLocate is a must have service with millions of parents throughout the UK.
We currently offer all customers a Free 30 Day Trial!
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