Identity theft is when a fraudster obtains enough information (such as name, DOB, address) to commit identity fraud. This could be opening bank accounts in your name, obtaining credit cards, loans or hire-purchase agreements, ordering goods or taking out genuine documents such as passports and driving licences in your name.
Protecting yourself
Push payment fraud is a scam where fraudsters convince you to transfer money to them. They’ll pose as a legitimate business or individual who is known to you (usually via email) to inform you that their bank account details have changed and to make a payment to the new account. Fraudsters can intercept emails, so may already have enough information to convince you that they’re real, such as who you are due to make a payment to.
What to look out for
Always keep alert when shopping online. Fraudsters may mimic websites in order to appear legitimate, or even sell goods/services that don’t exist.
Things you can do