Identity fraud protection

poppy1_2

Hi
Have just opened a new account with bank and when I rang them to activate the debit card some young lady went into a very long speech about protecting myself against identity fraud which she said was one of the biggest growing crimes in country. She talked to me for about ten minutes explaining all that could happen how it would ruin my credit ratings and that I could be taken to court for a debt I had never taken out etc.

She terrified me so much I agreed to take out a protection payment of £59-99 for a year to help me if this happened and to keep a close eye on my credit rating to notice if anyone tried to use my identity to get loans etc.

Have I agreed to pay for something I don't need and does anyone know of a cheaper way to protect myself? Do I need this. I am a 54 year old disabled lady who uses my card for internet shopping etc.

Would so appreciate any help or advice

Happy Easter

Tori_Bellatrix

Hi Poppy

It's true that identify theft is one of the fastest growing crimes today and there are some schemes out there to protect people however it does pay to shop around. Do you remember the name of the product she sold you?

Also, what type of current account do you have? The reason I ask is that I get free ID Theft protection on mine but if I didn't I probably wouldn't pay for it as I check my credit records regularly and hopefully would notice any irregular activity.

LittleVoice

Don't you just hate it when you phone a provider for one thing (activate a card) and they take your time (and probably add to your phone bill) to try to sell you something with scare tactics?

Identity theft/fraud may, or may not, be the fastest growing crime. If it is, that is because it is starting from a very low base.

If you do want to purchase ID theft protection - see what is actually being offered, what their service actually is. Then decide whether, if you did need to actually use their service it would be worth it or whether you could do it yourself. Balance the potential inconvenience of doing it yourself with the definitely actual expenditure year-on-year.

[Deleted User]

I've had that before when ringing up to activate cards. I just say it's included on my home insurance to shut them up.

digerati

Poppy, I'd advise you to cancel this so called identity fraud protection as it's totally unnecessary. This upsell was solely made to increase the bank's profits - not to protect you. If banks or financial institutions allow someone else to open an account in your name - they are legally responsible not you. Also some very dodgy identity fraud protection rackets have been in operation (see Fraudulent Credit Card Loss Protection Insurance Phone Scams story).

Your best protection against the identity fraud is not to discard your utility bills and bank statements without first shredding or burning them. Opt out of receiving credit card offers by contacting the mailing preference service and also placing a "no solicitation" comment on your credit reports. You can also contact the three UK credit reporting agencies and request a copy of your credit report for £2 each. They are Experian, Equifax, and Callcredit. You can also place a CIFAS protective registration on your credit file for £11.75 which means any attempt at opening an account requires in depth ID verification.

poppy1 wrote: »

Just one more question is it a good idea to sign up for the equifax every month or is that totally unnecessary too.

Best way I've found so far is to request a credit report from Experian, then four months later one from Equifax, then Callcredit four months later.

Basically you request a report once a year, but staggered throughout the year so you'll catch any changes quicker. Yearly cost is £6. Gives great piece of mind and it's interesting to catch all the mistakes in the reports, and having them deleted or corrected (it's free).

Here's a good BBC article on the whole subject: Q&A: Protecting your identity.

Hope this helps! :-)

poppy1_2

Good morning
Thank you all for your replies. I am so grateful as I did find it all a bit overwhelming to say the least. I am very careful and do shred everything that I discard and check bank statements etc. It is the shopping on the internet which I do find a real help because I can't go out alone the biggest worry.

Hope they will let me cancel this protection thing. They are sending me details through the post so hopefully it will have a piece about how to cancel.

Just one more question is it a good idea to sign up for the equifax every month or is that totally unnecessary too.

Thank you all for your most helpful advice

Poppy

missile

I cancelled my monthly subscription to Credit Expert, waste of time and money. Everytime a credit card company updates their record you get an alarm message.

I found it very difficult to get Experian to correct an error. Experian blamed John Lewis for supplying wrong info - who blamed Experian for entering it incorrectly. I eventually had to write a threatening letter to both.

James

Poppy for FREE ID Protection. Consider this:

Thumbprint Protection Against ID Fraud.

Website administered by Lothian & Borders Police.

Tori_Bellatrix

poppy1 wrote: »

Good morning
Thank you all for your replies. I am so grateful as I did find it all a bit overwhelming to say the least. I am very careful and do shred everything that I discard and check bank statements etc. It is the shopping on the internet which I do find a real help because I can't go out alone the biggest worry.

Hope they will let me cancel this protection thing. They are sending me details through the post so hopefully it will have a piece about how to cancel.

Just one more question is it a good idea to sign up for the equifax every month or is that totally unnecessary too.

Thank you all for your most helpful advice

Poppy

Yes, you will be able to cancel.

I think it's something to do with Distance Selling Regulations - you are given a 'cooling off' period which will allow you to cancel and get a refund.

raj75

Few months back my details (card and address) was used by someone to purchase mobile phones and airtime. I have reported this to my bank (barclays) and they after investigation gave all the money back.

I was thinking of getting a Identity Protection plan to protect myself. But after looking at the above notes, it looks like I should be already protected by the bank.

Is there cheaper way to find credit reports, other than the way digerati mentioned above. The following identity protection plans offer free access to reports, but they are £5/mth. Would that be any useful????

http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/products/apply/card_benefits/identity_protection/upgrade.html.
http://www.cpp.co.uk/identityprotection/index.html.

amcluesent

>It is the shopping on the internet <

Have a look at the Cahoot Webcard for use when buying on the web.

Agree with posters, shred all paperwork, inc. the envelopes with a cross-cut shredder and never click on the links in e-mails to go to web-sites, they are mostly fakes.