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Fraud (most notably identity theft and credit card fraud) is one of the most rapidly growing issues in the UK; affecting thousands upon thousands of people every single year.

Credit Card fraud is the use of your card, or in some instances just your card number, to make unauthorised payments. On the whole, this happens when you’re card is stolen, cloned, lost or the details (account number, etc) being used to make purchases over the internet (or phone or mail order).

Identity theft refers to the stealing, or appropriation of your name and details without you knowing. Criminals would then use these details to take out large loans or card with substantial credit limits, or just to make payments or purchases in your name. Criminals generally get hold of this information by acquiring bills, bank statements and/or personal documents that you have disposed of. This can be especially worrying in the long term, as it will normally end up with you having a bad credit rating. If you do find yourself with a bad rating due to this (or any other) kind of fraud, you should search for guides on how to improve credit rating.

There are ways you can cut down your chances of falling victim to this kind of crime however. The best thing you can do to improve your chances of avoiding identity theft would be to make sure you always dispose of personal documents (bank statements, bills, etc) properly. If you can you should shred or burn these documents, ensuring criminals cannot get hold of your sensitive information. If, like a lot of people, you often get mail for already approved credit cards, low interest loans or bad credit credit cards you should make sure these are shredded or burnt also, as criminals can still use this kind of information.

You should be extremely cautious with your PIN number for your credit or debit cards too. Never keep them written down in your wallet or purse, and similarly don’t store them in your mobile phone. If your bag was lost or stolen, then a thirf would end up with your card and your pin number, and would be able to clear out your personal finances. If possible, you should just try and remember your pin. If you’re finding the number difficult to remember, you can always change it. You should try and make sure you cover the keypad at cash machines whenever you’re withdrawing money. You should also be aware of any suspicious looking devices attached to the cash point, particularly around the card reader.

If you’re on the high street or shop via the telephone, then you should always keep hold of all receitps you recieve. This will allow you to check your reciepts alongside your monthly statements. Doing this will mean you have a good idea of what you’ve spend and what should be debited from your account. If you know how much should be coming out, you’ll be far better placed to spot any fraudulent transactions. If you’re on the phone, ask the retailer to confirm exactly how much you will be charged, so you can check this against your monthly statement. The last tip is to never, ever give your card details out to anyone (on the phone or otherwise), unless you’re totally sure of the legitimacy of the company you’re shopping with. Don’t ever be pressured into giving your card details, if you don’t feel comfortable, you can always make payment via an alternative method.