Step 6 - Protect Your Identity

Identity fraud is one of the UK's fastest-growing crimes. It takes place when criminals acquire enough of your personal information to borrow money in your name, draw benefits or even use your ID in fake marriages.

It can take hundreds of hours to put the situation right, so take sensible precautions. As you are likely to be moving home quite often, forward mail and notify your bank and other lenders everytime you move, shred personal documents before throwing them out, check statements carefully and let the police know if important papers are stolen. For more advice, visit www.stop-idfraud.co.uk