Check your credit report regularly
Regular checks help you spot unusual or suspicious activity. This could mean your identity has been stolen and someone is using your details to apply for credit. ClearScore Alerts notify you of changes on your report within 24 hours of Equifax being notified by lenders (which happens once a month). Each alert gives a brief overview of what’s changing. Your full credit report and score continue to update every month. You can see the details once you’ve logged in to your ClearScore account. Just select ‘See report’, then ‘See all updates’.
If you’re worried your personal information might be used fraudulently, contact Cifas, the UK’s fraud prevention service, to add a ‘Protective Registration’ warning to your credit file. It lasts for 2 years and costs £30.
Lock down your personal info
• Don’t overshare on social media. Examples: birthdate, address, phone number.
• Shred documents with sensitive information before you bin them.
• Use strong, unique passwords for every account. A password manager can help.
Secure your devices
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever you can.
• Keep software updated. Security patches matter.
• Install antivirus software and run regular scans.
Watch your money
• Check bank and credit card statements regularly.
• Set up alerts for transactions over a set amount.
Be suspicious of messages
• Don’t click on links in unexpected emails or texts.
• Verify any request for personal information, even if it looks genuine.
• Report phishing attempts to the genuine company the message claims to be from.