How to Prevent Identity Theft
Keep all documents such as driving licence, passport. bank statements and utility bills in a safe place. Shred any destroy personal documents that you are throwing away such as household bills, bank or credit-card statements, receipts and any documents that have your name, address and other personal details
Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unusual or unfamiliar transactions
If you use a shared or communal mailbox, such as in a block of flats, make sure it is a lockable mailbox and collect your mail as soon as possible. If you frequently have missing mail then contact the Post Office.
If you move house, redirect all your mail and inform your bank, utility companies and other organisations of your new address.
Do not use the same password or username or PIN for different accounts. And take extra care when using public computers to access your personal information. Make sure you have fully logged out and closed down the website you were visiting.
Be very careful about who you give your personal information to. Especially any unsolicited callers by phone, email post, fax or in person, unless you are certain of their identity. If you are suspicious, ring the company back on an advertised number or visit their website. Ask them why they need the information. If you are uncomfortable with it just move on to the next question.
Make sure your computer is fully protected before you go online. It should have up to date anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-spam software and also a firewall. Do not click on links in an email to go to a website. These are often fraudulent and made to look exactly the same as the genuine website.