Fraudsters have got all sorts of creative ways to steal your card details.
They can try and get their hands on your card details remotely by using phone and email scams – some of which are extremely sophisticated and convincing. This is why we’re always monitoring your account for suspicious transactions.
Once the scammers have got your information, they get to work – making purchases on the internet, over the phone or by mail order – without your card being present.
Noticed a transaction on your Barclaycard account you didn’t make? Unexplained payments on your statement could be credit card fraud.
Think back. Have you had a call or an email asking you for information and you thought it was from your bank, the police or a genuine company? You’re not alone. Card scams are big business and account for more than half of all card fraud.
Identity theft is when a fraudster steals your personal details and uses it for everything from opening a bank account, to applying for credit in your name.
So how do fraudsters get their hands on your information? Some go through your rubbish to find your personal details on bank statements and bills. Others trawl the internet, gathering pieces of your identity from websites like Facebook and LinkedIn.
As well as being stressful and time-consuming to sort out, identity theft can mean you face problems getting credit and with debt collectors. Plus, it can be difficult to find out how the theft happened. Many people never discover how their details were stolen.
Getting bills, statements or letters sent to your home for accounts, goods or services you’ve not ordered could be a sign of identity theft. Likewise, if you’ve signed up to a credit reference agency and you’ve spotted new accounts you haven’t opened.
Or maybe you’ve noticed transactions you haven’t made or documents going missing, such as your driving licence or utility bills.
These are all signs you could have had your identity stolen.
For free, independent advice on using the web securely, you can visit the Get Safe Online website.
You’ll find helpful tips and advice on how to protect yourself against credit card fraud and identity theft at Financial Fraud Action UK and Action Fraud.
If you’ve been a victim of fraud, the risk of having your identity stolen could be higher. You can add an extra layer of protection by signing up to Cifas (Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System). This not-for-profit company work to protect businesses, charities, public bodies and individuals from financial crime. When you apply and pay for Protective Registration, they place a warning flag against your name. This prompts Cifas members to carry out extra checks to prove your identity and stop further fraud. Find out about Cifas Protect Registration for Individuals and how to apply.
