Identity theft and identity fraud are separate crimes that are often confused.
Identity theft
Identity theft is when a fraudster steals personal details with the intent of posing as you. This can include credit card details, national insurance number, driving licence, usernames and passwords for online accounts.
How these details can be obtained:
• Intercepting mail
• A stolen phone or wallet
• Phishing emails
• Hacking your computer through an unsafe internet connection
Identity fraud
Identity fraud is using stolen information to commit a crime. Examples include buying goods with a stolen credit card or applying for credit in someone else’s name.
Keep an eye on your credit report
It’s important to monitor your credit report for anything that doesn’t belong to you. If you see something on your report that you don't recognise, contact the company directly for more information.
For more tips, see the Fraud and Identity theft section of our FAQs.