ID FRAUD prevention

Regular checks on your credit report are so effective in the fight against ID fraud that the UK government recommends them. Your credit report is the personal history of your credit accounts, from loans, cards and mortgages to utility and catalogue accounts. It even includes mobile phone accounts. It also includes your repayment history and lists searches made by lenders in response to new applications.

ProtectMyID membership includes access to a copy of your Experian credit report and continuous monitoring of your credit report information. We will alert you by email and SMS if we spot a change such as a new credit application made in your name. This makes it easy for you to spot unusual entries, such as an application you know you didn’t make.

Keeping you updated

An important feature of ProtectMyID is the weekly alert service. If there has been a significant change to your credit report, such as a search by a lender in response to a new application for credit, you’re sent an e-mail or text to let you know. You choose the method of communication you prefer.

On average, it takes more than 500 days to discover your ID has been compromised and misused by criminals. Our continuous monitoring and alerting acts as an early warning system against ID fraud, so you can act quickly to stop problems from developing.

Setting the record straight

It’s crucial that you log on to check your credit report when you receive an alert, as it could be the first sign of an attempted ID fraud. If you’re already suspicious that you’ve become an ID fraud victim, you can contact us and a dedicated fraud resolution expert will guide you through the process of setting the record straight, from contacting lenders to amending your credit report.

Case study: ID fraud victim

Abigail, 25, from London had no reason to suspect she was a fraud victim, until she joined ProtectMyID and got an alert. It showed a credit card, registered at her current address, with debts of £664.

The fraud

A fraudster had used Abigail's current details – so the card was sent to her real address. These frauds are mostly committed by someone who also lives at the address, often a neighbour with easy access to the victim’s mail or even a relative.

How we helped

We helped Abigail confirm that the card was a present address fraud. The card was cancelled, the debt written off - and we password protected her credit report to avoid future frauds.