Identity fraud

It’s surprising the damage a fraudster can do with seemingly insignificant information. Taking extra care with your paperwork and how you use the internet can reduce the risks and ensure that a fraudster is not closer than you think.

Follow simple steps when you're:

Dealing with personal documents

• Protect your post, and anything you print from the internet, just like you’d protect the contents of your wallet or purse. 
• If you move home, make sure you use the Royal Mail redirection service.
  Read your statement as soon as you receive it, and report any transactions you don’t recognise.
• Store statements, bills, and confidential letters securely, like you would your valuables.
• Shred any personal documents you don’t need.

Out and about

• Be wary of ‘shoulder-surfers’ – people behind you in queues at the till or at the cash machine, trying to see you enter your PIN. 
• When you hand over your card to make an in-store purchase, don’t let it out of your sight. Carefully watch whoever has hold of your card for swiping.
• Don’t use the ATM if you think it’s been tampered with, and report your suspicions to the bank.
• Keep your wallet, purse, mobile phone, organiser, house keys – any personal effects – out of sight and reach.

Online and over the phone

• Use different PINs and passwords for each account or application, and never tell anyone what they are or give them over the phone. Bank of Scotland would never ask for your full PIN or password.
• Look out for ‘phishing’ emails, which appear to come from financial institutions asking you to confirm account details. You can usually report these emails to the financial institutions they claim to come from and help close the net on fraudsters. Bank of Scotland never asks customers to confirm account details by email. Find out how Bank of Scotland deals with phishing scams. Update your computer’s anti-virus software and firewall settings regularly. 
• Be careful using internet cafés, forums, chat-rooms and social networking sites. Be wary of publishing any identifying information, such as your phone number, address or birthday. Fraudsters often use them to try and access personal information.
• Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails, SMS text messages and visits to your home. With ‘friendly sales calls’, always ask for the caller’s name and contact number and verify the company name before calling back.
• Find out how you can protect yourself online.

Remember – if something seems suspicious it's possibly fraudulent. By taking extra care of your personal information, you can really help reduce the risk of identity fraud. And if it does happen to you, rest assured, there’s plenty of help and advice – you’re not alone.

If you think your identity may have been stolen, don’t panic. Here’s what to do:

• Call us on 08457 21 31 41 if you’re concerned your Bank of Scotland bank account may have been compromised.
• Contact any other banks or credit card companies you use to cancel your cards and accounts.
• Check your credit status by contacting one of the three credit reference agencies:
• Experian 
  www.experian.co.uk
  0844 481 8000
  PO Box 9000, Nottingham NG80 7WP
• Equifax
  www.equifax.co.uk
  PO Box 1140, Bradford BD1 5US
• CallCredit 
  www.callcredit.co.uk
  0870 060 1414
  PO Box 491, Leeds LS3 1WZ
• Contact CIFAS, the UK's Fraud Prevention Service, to register for Protective Registration for protection against further attacks.
• Contact creditors, banks, phone companies and utility providers, and keep a record of all communications.
• Contact your local police and report the crime to get a reference number.