Money Saving Tips

Steps to beat ID fraud Since Revenue & Customs lost a file with bank and personal details of 25m people, ID frauds has been alarmingly risen. Many of us can expect to be victims of identity fraud at least once in our lifetime. These steps will help ensure, you are not the next victim. 1. Inform Companies your change of address: When you move house, inform your bank, other utility providers who might send you bills. So, that any fraudster is unable to assume your identity by intercepting your mail. 2. Your neighbours should be alerted: If you go on holiday, ask your neighbours to check that your mail and other documents, ie bank statements, gas bills or pre-filled credit card forms are pushed through the door. Or else it could be an obvious risk for any other to pick them up - in your name. 3. Ensure to shred old paper work: Old receipts and bills that will have your card details, name and address etc.,. must be shredded as anyone could go through rubbish and find documents that you might have thrown away. Cut up your cards when you get new ones issued or cancel them. 4. Keep your eyes on: When you hand over the card to the person serving you, in a bar, restaurant or petrol station, he swipes it over a machine that copies the magnetic strip and then hands your card back. Sooner or later, they have all the information needed to make an identical copy of your debit or credit card. Although they do not have your Pin, a clone of your card (minus the chip) could be used and signed for in shops that are not yet enabled for chip and Pin. The same method applies to your account transactions. Signing up to internet banking is the quickest, easy checking and spending method on your account. 5. Keep your PIN to yourself: The condition of having a Pin is that it's a secret. Do not write it down anywhere and never tell anyone else what it is. Keep your hand hidden when keying in your Pin at the ATM or the till, keep it different from other passwords. Also, ensure that your Pin is unable to be guessed. 6. Keep track of your credit file: This is a good way of checking whether anyone has applied for cards, loans or bank accounts in your name. There are several agencies, including Equifax () and Experian which will be of assistance. 7. Be mindful about wireless internet connection: If you are going to do your online banking or any other purchases from a wireless PC, be sure to have security measures in place, in order to unable anyone else accessing your connection. 8. Phishing e-mails: If an e-mail you receive is asking you to click on a link and enter your personal details, it's a 'phishing' email from criminals trying to steal your bank details.