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Identity Crime Prevention advice following possible disclosure of personal information
14 May 2009
The Metropolitan Police has provided the House of Commons Service with the following advice following the recent leak of allowances data.
The following advice has been prepared by the Metropolitan Police.
The level of risk of identity compromise to an individual is dependent on how much information has been mis-appropriated, combined with how much more personal information can be obtained from open sources and what the intention is of the person that possesses the information.
There are a number of indicators that identity details have been mis-appropriated and are in use by another. The list below provides indicators that compromised identity data is being used.
Unusual or blocked transactions on Bank, Card, other financial transactions and bills.
Non-receipt of mail, particularly in relation to financial matters.
Unsolicited contact by mail, email, phone and fax, particularly in relation to financial matters.
Duplicate, replacement or unexpected correspondence may indicate unauthorised activity.
Bills, invoices or receipts addressed to you for goods or services you haven't asked for.
Delivery of mail, goods or other contact in another person's name at your address.
Letters from financial institutions, solicitors or debt collectors for debts that are not your own.
Be wary of any phone calls or emails purporting to be from a bank or financial institution requesting confirmation of your personal details. No genuine bank or financial institution would request personal details in this way.
Precautions that you should consider taking:
Contact your bank/building society etc. directly and ask them for advice, particularly if you spot any unusual activity on your account(s).
Contact Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs if you are concerned about your national insurance number being misused.
Check bank and credit card statements carefully.
Open your post as quickly as possible and check all bills.
Never give out personal information to unidentified individuals or organisations.
Further information
The following web sites provide information about services that various organisations make available to minimise the risk of identity theft and also to provide information to mitigate risk where compromise has occurred.
Protective Registration via CIFAS, the UK Fraud Prevention Service will alert banks, financial institutions, companies and credit reference agencies to be more vigilant in authorising financial transactions. www.cifas.org.uk/protective_registration.asp
Check your Credit Report. Credit Reference Agencies provide a service to victims of fraud. This is a free service and is explained on the Home Office Identity Theft web site: www.identitytheft.org.uk/victims-of-fraud-service.asp
Credit Reference Agencies allow individuals to see and monitor their financial matters. They also provide alerts when a change to a person's status is reported to them. See www.identitytheft.org.uk/obtaining-your-credit-file.asp
Mail, Phone calls and Fax messages can be blocked via the Direct Marketing Association preference Services. See www.mpsonline.org.uk and www.tpsonline.org.uk.
Mail that has gone missing should be reported to the sender and if it has been tampered with to the Royal Mail. www.royalmail.com
Get Safe On Line provides advice relating to secure use of the internet. www.getsafeonline.org
Bank Safe On Line provides advice relating to banking. www.banksafeonline.org.uk.
Other useful web sites include:
Metropolitan Police `Fraud Alert' Web Site: www.met.police.uk/fraudalert
Home Office: www.homeoffice.gov.uk
Home Office Crime Reduction Web site: www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk
National Identity Fraud Prevention Week: www.stop-idfraud.co.uk
Home Office Identity Fraud Web Site: www.identitytheft.org.uk
APACS - the UK payments association: www.apacs.org.uk
CardWatch: www.cardwatch.org.uk
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