Keep your personal information secure

Your identity and personal information are valuable assets. Keep them safe and secure by:

1.     Regularly obtaining a copy of your personal credit file from one of the three credit reference agencies to see which financial organizations have accessed your details. It is particularly helpful to check your personal credit file 2-3 months after you have moved house.

2.     Being extra careful if you live in a property where other people could have access to your mail. In some cases a bank or credit card company could arrange for you to collect valuable items such as new plastic cards or cheque books from a local branch.

3.     Contacting the Royal Mail Customer Enquiry Line on 08457 740 740 if you suspect your mail is being stolen. Check whether a mail redirection order has been made in your name without your knowledge.

4.     Telling your bank, card issuer and all other organizations that you deal with immediately if you move house. Ask the Royal Mail to redirect any mail from your old address to your new one for at least a year.

5.     Considering using the Mailing Preference Service to limit the amount of unwanted mail you receive.

6.     Visiting Get Safe Online for advice on how to stay safe online when shopping, banking or doing business over the internet, and how to protect your computer and the personal information it contains. This includes advice about how to dispose of unwanted computers. This website has been developed by the Government, police and industry.