Protect your identity Having your identity stolen is not only disconcerting but time consuming too. By taking a few easy steps you can prevent identity crime happening to you. Actions I can take everyday Be wary of shoulder-surfers at cash machines who stand close enough to see you punch in your PIN. Limit the number of personal documents you carry around on a daily basis, for example your driving licence and passport. Always think about who you are giving information to and why they would need it. Don't provide personal information unless you know who you're talking to. If necessary ask them to provide a telephone number. You can check their identity and then ring them back. Actions I can take regularly If you have to post any personal documents ask the post office for advice on secure postage. Store any documents which contain any personal details in a safe place and shred everything else – credit card receipts, old bank statements, everyday bills, pre-approved credit card offers – basically any document that has personal financial information on it can give an identity thief a foothold into your life. If you share a house or flat or have a communal area where mail is left, always chase overdue mail in case it's got into the wrong hands. Be mindful of credit card receipts, some still contain the full credit card number. Put the charge slip copies in a safe spot until your credit card bill arrives and check your bank and credit card statements carefully for unfamiliar transactions. Monitor your credit accounts carefully, so you'll know if a bill's missing or unauthorised purchases have been made. Shred old credit and debit cards and ensure the account is closed. Actions I can take occasionally Get a credit report at least once a year and clean up any errors. Look for personal information and credit accounts that aren't yours. Credit bureaus can make mistakes. If you're moving, contact all your creditors and update them with your new address immediately. Make sure they acknowledge your change of address. Leave a forwarding address; you don't want credit information and new credit cards being delivered to the wrong address. PROTECT AGAINST FRAUD Information Terms of use Privacy notice Cookie notice Accessibility Secure email Our brands Legal Modern Slavery Act Suppliers Contact us Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4AB facebook twitter youtube linkedin We use cookies to help ensure that our website and services are able to function properly. These cookies are necessary and so are set automatically. We also use cookies to: make your visit more personal improve our website based on how you use it support our marketing These cookies are optional and you can choose which types you'd like to accept. To do this, click the 'Manage cookie settings' button. By clicking “Accept all”, you agree to the storing of all cookies on your device. Accept all Manage cookie settings