ID FRAUD PREVENTION
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PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM ID FRAUD : WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Identity fraud might sound like something that happens to other people, but the reality is it’s one of the fastest-growing crimes in the UK — and it can happen to anyone. Whether you’re running a business, working from home, or just shopping online, fraudsters are constantly looking for ways to steal personal details and use them for their own gain. THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM The statistics are sobering. According to Cifas, the UK’s fraud prevention service, there were more than 277,000 cases of identity fraud in 2023 — that’s one every two minutes. And the trend isn’t slowing down: online activity, hybrid working, and our ever-increasing reliance on digital services give criminals more opportunities than ever. What’s more, identity fraud doesn’t just affect individuals. Businesses are prime targets too. Criminals use stolen details to open bank accounts, take out loans, or even apply for jobs. The financial and reputational damage can be severe. For individuals, the impact is often stressful and time- consuming, sometimes taking months to sort out. HOW IDENTITY FRAUD WORKS Fraudsters don’t need much to get started. A name, date of birth, address, or bank detail can be enough to build a false identity. They gather this information in different ways, including: • Phishing emails or texts: Messages designed to trick you into giving away personal details. • Data breaches: Hackers targeting companies and leaking customer details online. • S ocial media: Oversharing birthdays, locations, or family details that can be pieced together. • O ld-fashioned theft: Stealing post, discarded documents, or even wallets.
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