How to protect yourself from ID fraud Checklist

1) Treat your personal information as confidential – it’s worth a great deal to criminals.

2) Never give full security details or passwords to someone who calls and says they are from your bank or the police.

3) Don't use your mother’s maiden name or place of birth as a security password. Never use the same password for more than one account.

4) Shred or rip up documents, receipts and bank statements when you dispose of them.

5) Regularly check statements for suspicious transactions.

6) Cut up and dispose of old cards and cheque books and cancel them with your bank or card issuer.

7) Keep a note of your bank’s contact details to use if your cards are lost or stolen.

8) Check that web addresses change from ‘http:’ to the more secure ‘https:’ when buying something online.

9) Update and regularly use computer virus software and install a firewall to protect yourself from attack. Set firewalls to the highest available security level.

10) Don't reply to financial emails or use links in emails, even if you think they are from your bank or the police.

11) Never write down passwords or Pins.

12) Shield the keypad when entering your Pin in shops or at cash machines.

13) If you are a victim, don't panic, but act quickly. Contact your card company or bank as soon as you spot fraud and call the police to get a crime number. Make a note of phone calls (the time, date and who you spoke to) and keep any correspondence.