Identity fraud is when personal details that have been accessed or stolen are used to commit - fraudulent acts.
Identity theft and credit card fraud can have a number of consequences – it can cause a negative impact on your credit score or it may result in you being investigated for criminal activity if someone is committing crimes in your name. Therefore, it is important to know the ways by which you could become a victim of ID fraud. Learn more about some of the common ways a criminal might attempt to steal and use your identity.
Debit or Credit Cards
Debit and credit cards can be used to make purchases online or over the phone (sometimes without needing a PIN), which can make them popular targets amongst ID fraudsters.
Skimming ATMs has been a common method of obtaining credit or debit card information. It can involve implanting a device into an ATM that reads and lifts information from the magnetic strip on the back of a card. Mounted objects on or near the ATM, pieces of plastic or metal that don’t match the ATM’s original colour, or a protruding keypad could be indicators that the ATM has been tampered with, however it can be impossible to know for sure, and it is always recommended to always shield your pin.
Bank or Credit Card Statements and Other Mail
Bank and credit card statements usually contain your name, address, and details about your account that can be used by identity thieves to commit fraudulent acts, while any other mail you receive may also contain similar information. Fraudsters may forward your mail to another address sometimes known as a ‘collection address’, where they can intercept it and potentially steal any sensitive information.
Photo IDs
Photographic identification, such as a driver’s licence, can be altered by criminals to create a new identity or assume an existing one. This may then be used to open new accounts and build up debt.
PINs and Passwords
A PIN or password can allow easy access into another person’s accounts, making them popular targets for identity thieves and criminals.
Bank Accounts
By creating fake web pages to trick people into entering their personal details, criminals can attempt to gain access to online bank accounts where they can conduct transactions and money transfers.
Criminals may also try to get personal information by pretending to represent a bank or another trustworthy institution, and asking you to verify details about yourself.
Emails
Phishing is a method that involves sending fake or fraudulent emails that an unsuspecting victim might open, believing it is from a trusted source (e.g. .gov.uk). The email may try to convince you to send personal details in a reply or it could release a virus that attempts to steal information from your computer.
Social Networking Profiles
Criminals may target your social network profiles to gain information they could use to guess your password, PIN, or answers to a security question.
CVs
CVs can contain information such as your name, address, employment history, and contact details, which can be used to open new accounts and gain access to old ones. Fraudsters may attempt employment scams to get your CV – these can involve setting up fake job vacancies to open a point of contact. Researching companies beforehand can help you determine if they are genuine, either by verifying their contact details, checking their website, or searching for the company on Companies House.
Protecting Yourself
Identity theft and fraud can have a significant impact on your finances. This can often be damaging and even costly to repair, therefore awareness around scam avoidance or learning how you can try to avoid ID theft may help you to prevent becoming a victim in the future.
If you are worried about the security of your personal data, your Equifax Credit Report & Score – free for the first 30 days then £14.95 monthly – comes with WebDetect, which alerts you if we find your personal data on websites used by fraudsters.
FAQs
There are several ways that scammers can steal your identity, including in person, online, through social media, and by phone. Scammers may: Steal your wallet or purse to get ID, credit, or bank cards. Go through your trash to retrieve bank statements or tax documents.
How can fraudsters get access to your personal information? ›
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.
How can an identity theft obtain your personal information? ›
steal your mail or garbage to get your account numbers or your Social Security number. trick you into sending personal information in an email. steal your account numbers from a business or medical office. steal your wallet or purse to get your personal information.
How someone can access your identity and personal details? ›
Anyone can become a victim of identity theft and one's personal information can be obtained by identity thieves through situations such as misplacing one's wallet or smartphone or from sophisticated scams such as email phishing or by criminals going through victims' trash bins or accessing information through unsecure ...
What can criminals do with my personal information? ›
Your name, address and date of birth provide enough information to create another 'you'. An identity thief can use a number of methods to find out your personal information and will then use it to open bank accounts, take out credit cards and apply for state benefits in your name.
How much information does a scammer need to steal your identity? ›
Scammers can steal your identity by obtaining your personal financial information online, at the door or over the phone. What they want are account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards.
How does a scammer know my name and phone number? ›
Many scammers obtain phone numbers from public records and data brokers. You can remove your name, address, and phone number from data broker lists and people search sites for free. Unfortunately, there are currently an estimated 4,000 data broker companies in existence.
What are two common methods criminals use to steal private information? ›
Learn 11 of the most common ways of identity theft can happen.
- Phishing. Scammers often use phishing emails to trick victims into providing personal or financial information. ...
- Smishing. ...
- Vishing. ...
- Fake Websites. ...
- Impersonation Scams or Confidence Fraud. ...
- Data Breaches. ...
- Skimming. ...
- Public Wi-Fi and USB Charging Stations.
Unless you see an unusual transaction on your bank statement, you might not know someone has opened a bank account in your name. That's why it's essential to be proactive. Here's what you can do to protect yourself from scammers.
Can identity theft be traced? ›
Changes in your credit score can indicate identity theft. For example, if someone takes out utility bills in your name and doesn't pay them, your credit score may dip. Checking your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion can help pinpoint the problem.
Anyone can get a hold of them. However, because they are public information, they are still tools that identity thieves can use. If you think of your identity as a jigsaw puzzle, your name and address are the first two pieces that they can use to build a bigger picture and ultimately put your identity at risk.
What information does a scammer need to access my bank account? ›
The easiest way to become a victim of a bank scam is to share your banking info — e.g., account numbers, PIN codes, social security number — with someone you don't know well and trust. If someone asks for sensitive banking details, proceed with caution.
How do hackers access personal information? ›
One way is to try to obtain information directly from an Internet-connected device by installing spyware, which sends information from your device to others without your knowledge or consent. Hackers may install spyware by tricking you into opening spam email, or into “clicking” on attachments, images, and links in ...
How do identity thieves get your personal information? ›
Steal your wallet or purse to get ID, credit, or bank cards. Go through your trash to retrieve bank statements or tax documents. Install skimmers at ATM machines, cash registers, and fuel pumps to digitally steal information from your bank card. Get personal information from your phone when you use public Wi-Fi.
How do I check if someone is using my identity? ›
Here are six simple ways to check for identity theft:
- Review your credit reports.
- Check your bank statements.
- Pay attention to strange mail.
- Stay on top of your tax returns.
- Check your medical statements.
- Review your Social Security statements.
Once identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance. An identity thief might even file a tax return in your name and get your refund.
How do hackers get access to your account information? ›
One way is to try to obtain information directly from an Internet-connected device by installing spyware, which sends information from your device to others without your knowledge or consent. Hackers may install spyware by tricking you into opening spam email, or into “clicking” on attachments, images, and links in ...
How do fraudsters steal your identity? ›
There are a number of ways identity thieves may obtain your personal information. Fraudsters may dig through mail or trash in search of credit card or bank statements. Unsecured web sites or public Wi-Fi may allow identity thieves to access your information electronically.
How can cybercriminals use your personal information? ›
Depending on the type of information a cybercriminal gathers about you, they can use that information to steal your identity. With a stolen identity, cybercriminals can take out loans and credit under your name, use your health insurance benefits and steal your tax return.
What is the most common way that fraudsters use personal data? ›
For instance, a fraudster may use your bank account or credit card numbers to steal money or make purchases. In financial identity theft, your information is used to open a new financial account or receive government benefits in your name.
