Identity theft happens when a criminal obtains and misuses your personal data to impersonate you. This can include your name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number, bank account details, or credit card information. The thief then uses this information to open accounts, make purchases, take out loans, or commit other fraudulent acts in your name.
Common forms of identity theft include:
- Financial identity theft: unauthorised access to bank accounts or taking out credit in your name
- Medical identity theft: using your health insurance or NHS details to obtain medical services
- Account takeover: gaining control of your existing email, social media, or online shopping accounts
- Synthetic identity theft: combining real and fake information to create a false identity
Identity thieves typically obtain personal information through data breaches, phishing emails, unsecured public WiFi, dumpster diving, or purchasing stolen data on the dark web. Once they have your details, the damage can take months or years to uncover.
How to protect yourself: Use strong, unique passwords for each online account. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. Monitor your credit reports regularly through free services like Clearscore or Experian. Shred sensitive documents before discarding them. Avoid sharing unnecessary personal information online. Be cautious of unsolicited emails or calls asking for your details. Consider using identity theft protection services that monitor your data for suspicious activity.
If you suspect identity theft, contact Action Fraud, your bank, and the credit reference agencies immediately to place a fraud alert on your credit file.