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What is
Identity Fraud?
Identity
theft is when someone gets hold of your personal
information
without
your permission. This can include your name, mothers
maiden
name, date
of birth, current and previous addresses, phone number, bank
account details and credit card or debit card PIN.
Identity
fraud is when someone uses your identity to commit a crime, usually
by getting goods or services fraudulently. This may involve
using stolen or forged identity documents, such as your driving
licence, or just a few
pieces of
your personal information.
Because
many of us don't take simple steps to protect ourselves
(by
keeping
our identities safe and by looking out for signs of fraud),
identity
fraud
typically takes 15 months to discover. Although victims
aren't normally liable for credit taken out without their
knowledge, it can take a huge
amount of
time and effort to sort things out. Of course the quicker
fraud is spotted, the easier it is to resolve.
You can
check to see if anyone has attempted to obtain credit in
your
name by
contacting the 3 main credit reference agencies.
Please see
the contact details below:
Experian
Limited
Consumer Help Service
PO Box 8000
Nottingham
NG80 7WF
Tel: 0870 241 6212
Website: www.experian.co.uk
Equifax
plc
Credit File Advice Centre
PO Box 1140
Bradford
BD1 5US
Tel: 0870 010 0583
Website: www.equifax.co.uk
Callcredit
plc
PO Box 491
Leeds
LS3 1WZ
Tel: 0870 060 1414
Website: www.callcredit.co.uk | 