Identity theft, online fraud and credit card fraud have increased dramatically in recent years. There are a number of simple steps you can take to prevent criminals or fraudsters getting the information they need to steal money from you or use your identity. The main message is to stay on guard. Learn how to protect yourself from scams and from identity theft in this section as well as what to do if you have been a victim of identity theft. Clicking on the articles on the left hand side of the page will give you more information and access to documents that will help you if you have been a victim of identity theft.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) details the steps you can take to protect your personal information. These include:

• Being ‘plastic’ smart – using your cards, receipts and PIN numbers wisely, to prevent crooks copying and re-using the details, or stealing your card
• Being ‘postal smart’ – being aware of post going missing, knowing when and how to report missing post, prompt mail redirection when you move
• Being ‘password smart’ – choosing and using your passwords and log-in details wisely, and disguising them if you do have to write them down
• Closing down dormant accounts, which could be used without your knowledge
• Being careful about accessing personal information in a public place
• Making checks with your original service provider if another service asks for your password

Always make sure you know who you’re dealing with. Determined, unscrupulous individuals will set up bogus companies, websites, charities or other organisations in order to persuade you to part with personal information or money.

Software programs including virusus, trojans, worms and spyware can give hackers and criminals the information they need to access your online financial accounts. They can do this by:

• Stopping your PC from working properly
• Recording which sites you visit
• Recording what you type while you’re there

These programs can be sent as files attached to emails or by automatically installing software downloaded from the internet.

You can minimise the risk of this kind of intrusion by:

• Deleting unexpected emails with attachments without reading them; it’s usually the attachment that is infected with the virus
• Installing good antivirus and ‘firewall’ software (firewalls help you control how your computer communicates with the internet)
• Reducing the amount of ‘junk’ email you receive by installing an ‘anti-spam’ filter if you don’t have one already