Identity fraud is where someone uses your personal details without your knowledge or permission, for example to open a credit card or loan account in your name. Once opened the fraudster will disappear with the money, potentially leaving you with the debt.

Please follow this advice

• Keep your cards and any personal documents such as passport, driving licence, account passbook or statements safe.
• If you no longer need them, destroy all documents with your personal details on them. If you can, invest in a paper shredder.
• Be suspicious of anyone asking you for your personal details when you weren't expecting it. If you're unsure about a telephone call you receive always call back on a number you have looked up yourself.
• Never include your full personal details and especially your account details in an email to us, or any one else.
• Always check your statement(s) when they arrive or if you have an online statement, make sure you check this regularly. If there is an entry that seems incorrect you must contact us as soon as possible so that we can investigate it.

You can find out more about identity fraud and what you can do to protect yourself from the following sites:

www.identityfraud.org.uk which is operated by CIFAS the UK's Fraud Prevention Service

www.identity-theft.org.uk which is operated by the Home Office