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Fraud guide

Identity theft

Top tips to stay safe

Identity theft is when a criminal steals your information and uses it to commit fraud. This could be opening bank accounts, or getting credit cards, loans, or benefits in your name. Follow our top tips to stay safe.

  1. Protect your personal information: never share important info like your bank account details or passwords. Be wary of unexpected requests asking for these.
  2. Use strong passwords: create unique passwords for your accounts and change them often. A mix of letters, numbers and special characters make passwords harder to guess.
  3. Stay on top of your accounts: regularly check your bank statements and credit reports for any strange transactions or accounts. 
  4. Keep your documents safe: shred any paperwork that has personal information before binning. Remember to update your address if you move.
  5. Set up biometrics: visit My Security Profile in the help section of our Mobile App to add an extra level of security to your account.

How to spot identity theft

Look out for these signs that your information has been stolen.

  • Missing mail: if you stop receiving your bills or statements, it could be a sign someone has changed your address without your permission.
  • Unexpected contact: you get mail about accounts you don’t have, or unexpected contact from debt collectors or solicitors. This could be a sign someone has opened an account in your name. Contact the provider directly using the number from their official website.
  • Loan rejections: you’re unexpectedly rejected from a loan or credit card application. Check your credit report to see if there are any new accounts in your name.

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