It’s very common for people to only realise they’ve been a victim of fraud after credit applications have been taken out in their name or an account has defaulted.
Below are some common signs to look out for:
Unrecognised transactions on your bank statements - Check your bank statements regularly. If there’s information you don’t recognise, contact your bank for further information as soon as possible. The earlier you spot something that doesn’t look right, the quicker your bank will be able to look into the problem.
Unrecognised accounts on your credit report - Your credit report is updated once a month but if there’s information on your credit report you’re unaware of, you can dispute this directly with Equifax here. At ClearScore, we’ll update you as soon as something changes on your credit report, even if your report is not yet available, so you’re always in control.
You’ve been contacted about goods that you didn’t purchase - If you’ve received items that you didn’t purchase, contact the company immediately. They will be able to start a fraud investigation. Make sure to contact the company using legitimate details - don’t rely on contact details they’ve sent you as they may be fraudulent.
Missing mail - If you’re expecting a new bank card and it’s been more than 5 working days since you made the order, it might be that your mail has been intercepted or stolen. Contact the bank you ordered from and let them know what’s going on.
Missing documents - If your passport gets lost or stolen, report it to Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) as soon as possible. If your driving license gets lost or stolen, report it to the police and the DVLA.