Identity theft & fraud
Identity theft is when someone takes your personal information and pretends to be you for their personal (often financial) gain.
Criminals steal your identity so that they can do things like open bank accounts or get credit cards, passports, mobile phone contracts and other documents in your name.
As well as finding personal information in the real world (eg taking documents from your rubbish and intercepting your mail or stealing your wallet or purse), criminals are increasingly using technology to facilitate identity theft.
They’re sending emails claiming to be from your bank and asking you to confirm your account details and password; they’re setting up fraudulent websites; and they’re targeting mobile users who have Bluetooth on their phones.
Research by Get Safe Online revealed that the boom in smartphones is making people vulnerable, with 67 per cent of those who access the internet from their mobiles not using a password or PIN number. Smartphones should be treated like a mini laptop – if your mobile is stolen, the thief might be able to access your emails, social networking profile or even your online bank account.
Did you know?
Identity theft accounted for more than 60 per cent of all UK fraud in 2013.