Who is looking at YOUR IDENTITY?

January 7th, 2006

It takes an average of more than 16 months before an individual discovers that his or her identity has been stolen, according to Experian, the UK’s largest credit reference agency. In the meantime, identity fraud may have seriously damaged your credit record, preventing you from getting credit you would normally be granted. And once you find out that someone has stolen your identity, it can take up to 300 hours of work and hassle to clear your name and put the record straight.

To avoid becoming a victim of identity fraud, you should be very careful about giving personal information to anyone you do not know, whether they contact you by telephone or via the internet, even if they claim to be from an organisation you deal with. Never disclose your passwords or PINs to anyone - no genuine organisation would ask for them unless they form part of the normal security procedures when you access your account.

You also need to be aware of the importance of keeping your personal details safe from theft, whether they are held in your computer, at home or in your wallet.

Protect Yourself

To make sure that you have not become a victim of identity theft, it’s a good idea to keep regular tabs on your credit report. This is a factual record of your financial history kept by a credit reference agency.

Entry Filed under: Credit Cards, Loans, Finance Info

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