Things to look out for

• you have lost or had stolen important documents such as your passport or driving licence

• post expected from your bank has not arrived or you are receiving no post at all

You may already be a victim of identity theft if:

• you identify entries on your personal credit file from organisations you do not normally deal with

• items have appeared on your bank or credit-card statements that you do not recognise

• you applied for a state benefit but are told that you are already claiming

• you receive bills, invoices or receipts addressed to you for goods or services you haven’t asked for

• you have been refused a financial service, such as a credit card or a loan, despite having a good credit history

• a mobile-phone contract has been set up in your name without your knowledge

• you have received letters from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that aren’t yours

• financial institutions that you do not normally deal with contact you to chase an outstanding debt.

Your Credit Report

Obtain a copy of your credit file from the following credit reference agencies, it costs as little as £2:

• Experian – http://www.experian.co.uk/

• Check My File – http://www.checkmyfile.com

• Equifax – http://www.equifax.co.uk/

Look at your credit file in detail. If you find entries relating to organisations you do not normally deal with, contact them immediately. Keep a record of all your actions, including who you spoke to and when, and copies of letters sent and received. The credit reference agencies may be able to help you with this.

If you believe you are a victim, report the matter to your local police station and ask for a reference number. For details of which police station to report to, visit www.police.uk

Report all lost or stolen documents, (passports, driving licences, credit cards, chequebooks, etc).

Notify Royal Mail if you suspect mail theft or that a mail redirection has been fraudulently set up on your address – they have an investigations unit who will be able to help.

Consider registering with the CIFAS Protective Registration Service. CIFAS Protective Registration may be placed by individuals against their own address when they have good reason to believe it may be used by a fraudster, for example, when a passport has been stolen.

For a full explanation of the CIFAS Protective Registration Service, go to www.cifas.org.uk and follow the link to Protective Registration.