Not too far back we read of Derek Bond, a 72-year-old British grandfather arrested in South Africa by the police on the orders of the FBI.

It transpired that a man had passed himself off as Mr Bond. The felon had got hold of Mr Bond’s birth certificate and a passport identical to his. He had, in short, stolen Mr Bond’s identity. That he went on to commit multi-million dollar fraud was all the worse for Mr Bond.

And it is not uncommon. In the United States, there are an estimated 750,000 new cases of identity theft each year. This is a painful crime for the victims, who are left with a massive mess to sort out.

In the UK things are getting worse. The CIFAS is a body charged with helping victims of identity theft. Last year, they had more than 10,000 people come to them for help. Victims can lose everything - their back accounts are cleared out.

So what can you do to stop yourself being victim?

Are your regular bank or credit card statements going missing or failing to appear? Have you bought everything detailed on your credit card statement? Has a debt collection agency contacted you about goods you have never bought? Have you lost your passport or driving licence?

If the answer is yes to any of those questions, you might be in trouble. Contact your credit card operator and your bank and tell them the situation. If you ignore the problem, it will escalate.

Keep records of who you call and when you call them. You will need evidence if someone is spending money using your name. Tell the police in person or on the telephone and in witting. And insist on getting a crime reference number.

You need to cover your back. The quicker you act the more pain you will save in the long run. And the time you spend reclaiming your identity and financial credibility – estimates put it at 350-400 hours – is going to be costly.

Credit card firms have fraud departments which will put an alert on your file. Anything suspicious will be flagged.

Addis Ababa sounds nice, and the Sunny Day jewellers sure does a terrific range of gold watches. But you never went there or bought one. Shame that the documentation says that you did.

Do not be a victim. Cover your back.

via [CIFAS]

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