How to avoid identity theft
.jpg "This week Jeremy Clarkson lost hundreds of pounds due to identity theft. Avoid being scammed with our essential advice.")
 Clarkson lost £500 in an online scam, but this could have easily been avoided. Read on to find out how. 08 January 2008 He may have been unwise enough to publish his details in a national newspaper – but how can you avoid falling victim of similar fraud? Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson slammed public outcry over the Government’s loss of personal data last year, but his opinion changed when his bank details were used by someone else. Clarkson lost £500 in an online scam, but this could have easily been avoided. Read on to find out how. Identity theft This type of fraud is common, but can be avoided by following these simple tips: 1. Never hand out your bank or credit card details unless you know who you’re giving them to 2. Most reputable companies won’t ask for your personal details more than once 3. If unsure, check. Contact the company by phone, not email 4. Don’t publicly display your personal information on websites or in emails Phishing Phishing – pronounced fishing – is where a false company or person attempts to gather personal information from another company’s customers, before using it to unlawfully take their money. This fraud is usually carried out through emails and instant messaging programs, although phishers can strike by post or over the phone. • Never hand out your username, password, bank details or other information to someone you’re not sure of, even if they claim to be from a major organisation • Most businesses won’t ask for your updated personal information via email • Ignore text messages which ask you to phone a premium rate number • Watch out for spelling mistakes in emails from seemingly trusted sources • Common phrases to look out for include “please verify your information” and “your account will close if you don’t send us your details” Auto Trader was alerted to phishing emails claiming to be from Auto Trader last year. Read our scam email alert news story for more information. Remember, Auto Trader will never ask for your personal details by email. False escrow services A legitimate escrow service holds money during a purchase until goods are received by the buyer. When the buyer accepts delivery, escrow pays the seller. False escrow services keep the buyer’s money, and lie about a potential seller. • Fake escrow service websites usually have a dash in their name, or end with .org, .biz, .cc, .info or .us • Ensure the website shows an address and landline phone number • Try phoning them and talk to someone. If no-one answers, it could be a fraud • Send the company an email – if they don't respond, don’t send them your money. How to find a legitimate escrow service Ask friends for recommendations or talk to people you know who have successfully used an escrow service in the past. It should also feature a padlock icon at the bottom right of the browser window before asking for payment. This means the site is encrypted and safe to process a transaction. If in doubt, you can check out the legitimacy of a company by contacting Companies House or the Financial Services Authority. For more information on scams, fraud and how to stay safe when buying and selling cars, visit our Safety and Security Centre. |
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