Ten steps to beating fraudsters. Identity fraud is on the rise, and with the introduction of chip and Pin, your bank is likely to make you feel more liable for fraud on your account. Sascha Hutchinson has some hints to help ensure you're not the next criminal target.
1. Tell companies you've changed address
One of the easiest ways for a fraudster to start assuming your identity is by intercepting your mail. So if you move house, make sure you inform your bank, utility providers and anyone else who might send you a bill.
Think about it. Last time you went to open a bank account, all you needed was a few gas bills in your name to prove where you live. If you're slow to let the relevant people know you've moved, the bills will pile up in your old house. All you need is for a dishonest person to move in and hey presto – your identity's stolen.
2. Alert your neighbours
For the same reason, if you go on holiday, ask your neighbours to check that your mail is pushed through the door. It's an obvious security risk if your bank statements, gas bills and those annoying pre-filled credit card forms are available for anyone in the area to come along and pick up - in your name.
3. Shred your old paperwork
For the same reason that you don't want people to open your mail once you've moved, you also don't want them to be able to go through your rubbish and find documents that you might have thrown away.
Old receipts will have your card details on them, old bills will have your name and address. You're asking for trouble by not destroying them before throwing them away. Cut up your cards when you get new ones issued or you cancel them. You can buy a very basic model shredder for only a few pounds.
4. Keep your eyes peeled
A quick poll of the staff at This is Money and Financial Mail reveals that two people, and the partner of a third, have all had their card skimmed.
It's amazingly simple and surprisingly common. You hand your card over in a bar, restaurant or petrol station, the person serving you quickly swipes it over a machine that copies the magnetic strip and then hands your card back. Once you've left the shop, they have all the information needed to make an identical copy of your debit or credit card.
They don't have your Pin, but a clone of your card (minus the chip) could be used and signed for in shops like Tesco and Waitrose that are not yet enabled for chip and Pin, or online or over the phone. Waitrose told us that they are confident chip and Pin will be up and running in their stores before the February 14 deadline.
5. Keep your Pin to yourself
It's the most basic of advice. If someone knows your Pin, they have full access to your money. Keep your hand hidden when keying in your Pin at the ATM or the till, keep it different from other passwords, don't write it down in your wallet and never, ever tell anyone else what it is.
If you have told someone your Pin, or you have your handbag stolen and your Pin is written down somewhere in your wallet, you are liable for any losses. The condition of having a Pin is that it's a secret. Tell someone what it is and you have given them full and legitimate access to your money and you will be at fault if they steal it. Simple as that.
6. Check your credit
Keeping track of what's on your credit file is a good way of checking whether anyone has applied for cards, loans or bank accounts in your name. You can see which institutions have checked your credit file recently, which they will only do if you (or someone pretending to be you) has applied for finance or tried to open a new account.
7. Make sure your Pin is impossible to guess
Don't make it a number that might be obvious to anyone who knows you (like your birthday) or to anyone else who might randomly try a Pin (like 1234).
Despite the fact that the banking code hasn't changed with the introduction of chip and Pin, and that banks should still foot the bill if your account is fraudulently accessed, more and more often consumers are having their claims refused. The responsibility appears to have shifted to consumers and you should do everything possible to ensure that your Pin is secret and unable to be guessed.
8. Be wary of wireless
Don't do your internet banking or make any online purchases on a wireless internet connection. If you don't have the correct firewalls set up on your PC and you are using a wireless broadband connection, then other people who are in the vicinity can 'tap into' your internet connection.
And while it's unlikely that they could physically access your internet banking, it's very possible that they could view it. If you are going to do your online banking from a wireless PC, make sure you have security measures in place to stop anyone else from accessing your wireless connection.
9. Don't click on phishing emails
We've said it before and we'll continue saying it. Banks and building societies will never send you an email asking you personal details. If you get an email from your bank, it's very unlikely to be legitimate, and if it's asking you to click on a link and enter your personal details, it's a 'phishing' email from criminals trying to steal your bank details.
If you really do think an email you received might be a genuine attempt by your bank to contact you, call your bank and deal with it over the phone. Don't click on any links and don't enter any passwords or you could find that you're the latest victim of online fraud.
And finally...
10. Keep checking back on This is Money's Identity fraud section
We'll keep you alert to the latest scams and tips on avoiding being hit by fraudsters. ( thisismoney.co.uk )
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