First things first - act quickly
If your identity is stolen, report it to your local police immediately. Request a copy of the police report or a reference number—you'll need this for your bank, government agencies, and other relevant companies.
If you suspect you're a victim of authorised push payment fraud (APP fraud), you can learn more in our FAQ called, what is authorised push payment fraud (APP fraud)?
For any suspicious or confirmed fraudulent activities, report them to the relevant organisation or company involved. They should guide you through the next steps and provide support.
Tell your bank and lenders to cancel any cards
You should also get your accounts secured or blocked if this is needed.
Change the passwords to your online accounts
Straight away change your passwords to keep your private information safe (such as your internet banking, email addresses etc.).
Keep an eye on your credit report
We generate your report once a week, but you’ll receive regular daily updates based on changes on your Equifax credit report. By looking through it regularly, you can spot suspicious activity and take action quickly. If you don’t recognise information on your credit report, you can dispute this with Equifax by using our form. It's a good idea to request statutory credit reports from all other credit reference agencies and compare them.
Contact Action Fraud
ActionFraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. You can file a report online or talk to their specialists by calling 0300 123 2040. They’ll be able to provide you with assistance on the next steps.
Get in touch with Cifas - the leaders in fraud prevention
Cifas offer a ‘Protective Registration’ service which places a warning on your credit report, alongside your personal details. This will be visible to banks and lenders when you’re applying for a product or service. When banks or lenders see this warning, they’ll use extra security measures to ensure that the application is actually from you, not someone pretending to be you.
Contact Victim Support
Victim Support is an independent charity that helps anyone affected by crime. They provide free and confidential support 24-hours-a-day, whether you’ve reported the crime to the police or not. More information on how to know if you've been a victim of fraud can be found in our articles.