10 ways you didn't know your identity was at risk

ID fraud is a growing problem. So make sure you stay safe...

Identity fraud can affect any one of us and unfortunately it’s a growing problem. Thanks to the internet, mobile phones and an increasing reliance on debit and credit cards, fraudsters are finding it far easier to steal our personal details as well as our identity.

So here, I’m going to run through 10 ways you may not realise you are putting your identity put at risk.

1. Shopping at websites without an 's' in the URL

These days, many of us rely on the internet to do our shopping – I know I certainly do. After all, who wants to push their way through the crowded high street when it’s far easier to sit at home in front of the computer and order your shopping that way?

However, the downside is that you could be at risk of ID fraud – after all, you’ll have to enter your debit or credit card details when you come to pay, as well as your personal information, including your address. According to a YouGov survey, one fifth of British adults who have made a purchase online have been a victim of online fraud. Scary!

So always make sure the website displays the padlock symbol in the browser and that the website address begins with ‘https’ rather than ‘http’ to signify it’s secure before you pay for anything. You can find out further tips for protecting yourself in Stay safe shopping online.

2. Recycling an old mobile phone or using a new one

More and more of us are using smartphones, meaning that we use our phone to access the internet on a regular basis. And as a result, more of us are storing personal information on our phones that could lead to us becoming a victim of ID fraud.

What’s more, with many of us recycling or selling on our unwanted phones, if you’ve failed to delete this personal information, you really could be in trouble. Indeed, research from Equifax states that 54% of second-hand phones contain personal data including texts, emails and even banking details!

So make sure you always delete any personal details from your phone and SIM card before selling it on. And if you’re a regular smartphone user, always use the PIN function on your handset and wipe the browser history after using. Find out more in The smart new way scammers steal your cash.

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3. Throwing away 'useless' bits of paper

It’s all too easy to throw away your old bank statements, credit card bills, energy bills and even your receipts, without giving it a second thought. Unfortunately, if you do that, you could find yourself a victim of bin raiding – in which fraudsters literally raid your bin to find valuable information to steal your identity.

So always shred important documents rather than simply throwing them in the bin.

4. Keeping too much in your wallet

Wallets are often stashed full of various debit/credit/store cards, as well as your driving licence and membership cards. All of this is highly valuable to fraudsters, and if your wallet gets stolen, it won’t take long for a fraudster to use this to his/her advantage.

So have a good clearout and only leave the essentials in your wallet. It’s a good idea to leave at least one debit/credit card at home.

5. Using an ATM

Always keep an eye out for anything that looks suspicious when you’re using an ATM (automatic teller machine). Fraudsters often attach a false front to the card reader and this will capture your card number and transmit it wirelessly to the fraudster who will be waiting nearby.

A hidden camera attached to the machine will also capture your PIN as you enter it. So the fraudster can make a copy of your card and use it along with the PIN to withdraw funds.

If anything looks suspicious, find another ATM to use!

6. Trying to get a refund

These little scams have been doing the rounds a lot recently. Whether it’s a tax refund or a gas/electricity refund, there’s a good chance that if you haven’t received one already, you may get an email/letter/phone call stating that you are due a refund – sometimes worth several hundred pounds.

In order to apply for this refund, all you will need to do is provide your bank details and personal information. In the case of the gas/electricity scam, you may also be asked to fax a copy of your driving licence or passport before you can receive your refund.

This may sound too obvious and you may find it hard to believe that anyone falls for it. But unfortunately, people do. So be very wary if you receive any correspondence like this. Find out more in The new tax refund scam.

7. Booking a holiday online

If you’re hoping to book a holiday online, you should also be cautious. Always make sure you recognise the brand of the company through which you're booking your holiday – it’s worth typing the name into a search engine to see whether you can find any reviews or ratings from customers.

And as with shopping online, always make sure the connection is secure before you enter any payment details. It’s also a good idea to pay by credit card because if you’re spending over £100 you’ll benefit from Section 75 protection.

8. Opening an email

Always watch out for emails that appear to be from your bank or other financial institution requesting you to reset or confirm your security details – often by following a link. However, these links will usually take you to a fake website with the aim of getting hold of your personal and financial details to defraud you.

Remember that your bank will never ask you for your login or personal security details – find out more in Eight ways to spot a phishing scam.

9. Moving house and forgetting to do one small thing

When you move home, don’t forget to redirect your post. If you don’t, criminals can easily pick up valuable information about you if important post is delivered to an old address – particularly if you had a shared entrance or mail box at your previous home.

So always ask Royal Mail to redirect your post when you move – prices start from £8 for one month. And don’t forget to inform your bank and other financial institutions of your new address.

10. Sharing your holiday plans on social network sites

If you use social networking sites such as Twitter, MySpace and Facebook, you need to be careful about how much personal information you advertise on these websites.

Many people include information such as their full date of birth, where they live, their phone number and their employer. And sometimes, they will even say when they are on holiday or away from home.

However, criminals can use this information to steal your identity and take out financial products in your name. What’s more, if you’ve included your address and stated that you’re now in Barbados for two weeks, this provides criminals with the perfect opportunity to burgle your home!

So whatever you do, keep your privacy settings on social networking sites as high as possible and limit the information you publish on these sites.

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