How ID aware are you?
Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety Team is reminding residents about how they can help prevent becoming a victim of identity fraud.
It is part of National Identity Fraud Awareness Week (6 to 12 October 2008). The campaign aims to educate consumers and businesses about the dangers of identity fraud, which has affected around 4.3 million people across the UK.
The following tips could help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of ID fraud:
* Always check bank statements for discrepancies
* Shred sensitive documents like utility bills, bank and credit card statements, rather than throw them in the bin
* Regularly check your credit report for changes – for example, credit card applications you haven’t made
* Never give out any personal information to unidentified individuals or organisations who contact you by phone, email or face-to-face
* Report lost documents like passports and driving licences immediately
* Ensure your computer has adequate security software like an anti-virus programme
* Use an official mail re-direction service when moving house and investigate stray post
Cllr Richard Hobbs, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, said: “Warwickshire is one of the safest counties to live in but it is worth being on-guard about this growing world-wide problem.”
“Following simple advice like shredding sensitive information and checking your bank statements could help reduce the risk of becoming a victim.”