Identity theft

Identity theft

It can seem like almost every activity online requires you to create passwords, usernames and give personal information about yourself. Sometimes this is because sites want to keep you secure and protect your identity or because they offer a social networking service.

Unfortunately there are criminals searching for people who give away too much information about themselves. They often use what is called ‘social engineering’ to trick people into giving away too much information.

If other people are giving personal information on social networking sites you could feel pressured to do the same.

Trust your instincts when people contact you online or over the phone, make sure you verify who it is you are speaking to and don’t be afraid to say ‘no' or to simply hang up and end the conversation without giving a reason.

Social networking

Sites like MySpace, Facebook and Friends Reunited are great for chatting with friends and creating social networks online. It can be tempting to use the same passwords for all these sites or create usernames that are obvious and easy to remember. Remember if you do this and a criminal breaks one of your passwords they then have access to everything.
Find out more about staying safe whilst using social networking sites.

Here are some simple steps you should take to protect your identity from fraudsters when you’re:

1. Printing personal documents

Protect your post, and anything you print from the internet, just like you’d protect the contents of your wallet or purse. And 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 no longer need.

2. 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. And when you hand over your card to make an in-store purchase, don’t let it out of your sight.

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.

3. Online and over the phone

Use different PIN's 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.

Avoid using the ‘auto complete’ option when completing forms online. The software is easy for thieves to access.

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.

Update your computer’s anti-virus software and firewall settings regularly.

Be careful using internet cafés, forums, chat-rooms and social networking sites – fraudsters often use them to try and access personal information.

Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails and visits to your home. With ‘friendly sales calls’, always ask for the caller’s number and verify the company name.

How to report a fraud
If you think identity fraud has caught up with you, don't panic. Here's what to do:

• Call Bank of Scotland on 08456 02 00 00 if it concerns your Bank of Scotland account.
• Contact your local police.
• Contact any other banks or credit card companies you use to cancel cards and accounts.
• Contact a credit reference agency to check your credit status.

Remember - if something seems suspicious it is 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.

Follow our surf safely rules when accessing the internet on any computer, phone or mobile device.

Further information about identity theft can be found at www.identitytheft.org.uk*. This in-depth website has been produced by the Government and a number of leading public and private companies to combat the threat of identity theft.