Video transcript

Identity Fraud Transcript

We're going undercover to enter the world of identity theft and fraud. Uncovering the tricks scammers use and how you can protect yourself from becoming their next target. But, before we get started, what do these terms mean? 

Identity theft is when someone steals your personal or financial information. Some go through your bins looking for bank account and credit card statements. But increasingly, identity thieves are using technology to get hold of your precious personal information.

Identity fraud is when stolen information is used to commit fraud, like making unauthorised transactions or purchases. Victims of either crime can be left with damage to their credit score, finances, and reputation. So it’s important that you know how to keep yourself safe.

So, what do these fraudsters want? Well, they want personal information such as phone numbers, addresses, and dates of birth. So they sift through your socials in the hopes of getting their hands on it. Next time you’re online, check the privacy settings on your accounts to see if you are sharing any of this information publicly. 
How do they get this information? Have you ever been asked for your account details in exchange for clicking on an ad, downloading an app, or getting vouchers? You might even have handed over your details to answer a quiz, because you were desperate to find out what dog breed you are. This is a clever way of tempting people into voluntarily giving away their details. Watch out for unofficial gaming and streaming sites. This is a clever way of tempting people into voluntarily giving away their details.

Finally, forget using your pet’s name or first school as a password. As they can infect your computer with spyware which harvests data from your device and sends it on to a third party. How can you avoid these scammer traps? Luckily, there are some warning signs. Avoid accepting pop-ups that appear on your device asking you to download new, unfamiliar software.

Double check emails, texts or calls asking you to ‘validate’ or ‘confirm’ your personal details. These messages might be poorly written and contain grammatical errors – so keep an eye out for that too. Don’t accept friend requests from strangers – they probably aren’t just being friendly. If you do get locked out of your social media or email account unexpectedly, contact the help desk as it’s likely you’ve been hacked. Always check your banking App so you know straight away if money goes missing from your bank account. And contact your bank immediately if a loan or credit card application you didn’t apply for has been declined.

Follow our tips to make sure you stay safe!