This is when someone steals your personal information and uses it to impersonate you. They can carry out fraudulent activity like trying to access your bank accounts, opening a credit card account in your name or getting payment from a supplier.
How to reduce your risk of identity theft
- Be careful when posting personal information online, including on social media
The more information you post online about yourself the easier it may be for a fraudster to steal your identity
- Never give your card PIN to anyone
- Cancel lost or stolen credit or debit cards immediately
- Lock all valuable documents away
Keep them in a safe place
- Clear all information on your device before selling it
- Shred confidential information
Always shred any confidential information, like bank statements or cheque books before you throw them away
- Tell all of your service providers promptly when you change address
Set up a mail forwarding arrangement with Post Office