| This type of fraud occurs when a fraudster has an | | | | name. If you see a suspicious looking transaction |
| easy access to your bank details either through your | | | | recorded in your statement, report this fact |
| credit card statements or utility bills and craftily uses | | | | immediately to your credit card provider and to the |
| this information to make an application for a credit card | | | | police. |
| in your name. Once the application has been approved, | | | | Get the most recent copy of your credit card report |
| the fraudster is then able to purchase goods and | | | | and check if there has been any credit search against |
| services in your name. Sounds ghastly, doesn't it? But | | | | your name. This will give you a vital clue if anyone has |
| the ugly truth is that you then become the unfortunate | | | | made an application for a credit card in your name. If |
| victim of identity fraud. So how can one protect | | | | you find this to be the case, report the matter to the |
| himself or herself from becoming a victim? Here are a | | | | credit card provider immediately. When you move |
| few possible ways to ensure that this unfortunate | | | | house, remember to inform all official bodies that you |
| event never happens to you: | | | | no longer reside at your old address. You could also |
| First and foremost, remember to shred all official | | | | contact Royal Mail for details of their re-direction |
| documents that you no longer need to keep in your | | | | service. |
| possession. If you were to simply scrunch up your | | | | And lastly, never, ever, reveal your PIN to anyone. And |
| official document into a ball and then bin it, the | | | | don't make the mistake of writing it down because if |
| fraudster is likely to scavenge your bin, smooth out the | | | | others, whether they are known or unknown, get to |
| creased document and hey presto, all your personal | | | | read it, they will have an easy access to your bank |
| details has, like magic, slipped into his hands! Shredding | | | | account. Memorize it instead. Do keep in mind, that the |
| is a good way of avoiding such a terrible occurrence | | | | chip and PIN method is an excellent anti-fraud measure |
| from happening. | | | | to keep potential fraudsters at bay. Without your PIN, |
| Always remember to check your credit card | | | | the fraudster will be unable to purchase goods and |
| statements every month so as to ensure no | | | | services at retail outlets or withdraw your cash from |
| unauthorised transactions have taken place in your | | | | the ATM. |