Identity theft

It can seem like almost every activity online requires you to create passwords, usernames and give personal information about yourself. Sometimes this is because sites want to keep you secure and protect your identity or because they offer a social networking service.

It can be tempting to use the same passwords for all these sites or create usernames that are obvious and easy to remember. Remember if you do this and a criminal breaks one of your passwords they then have access to everything.

Protect your personal identity online
Unfortunately there are criminals searching for people who give away too much information about themselves. They often use what is called ‘social engineering’ to trick people into giving away too much information.

If other people are giving personal information on social networking sites you could feel pressured to do the same.

Trust your instincts when people contact you online or over the phone, make sure you verify who it is you are speaking to and don’t be afraid to be firm when saying ‘no’.

Social Networking
Sites like Bebo, MySpace, Facebook and Friends Reunited are great for chatting with friends and creating social networks online. 

These sites can be a lot of fun but at the same time there are some risks associated with placing information about yourself online. Problems include cyber-stalking, bullying, identity theft, exposure to phishing / scam emails and inappropriate content.

You can protect your online banking security by never putting passwords or details of accounts on social networking sites.

If you stick to some basic rules then socialising online can be a rewarding experience.

Stay safe online

• Never post your personal details such as telephone number, date of birth and address.

• Learn about the site’s privacy features and set them to a level you are comfortable with e.g. if you want strangers to be able to see your profile or personal information.

• Be careful who you allow to be your friend or join your network.

• Increasingly employers are looking at social networking sites for information on potential candidates. So if you wouldn’t say it to you boss, don’t post it online.

• Beware of hoax emails, phishing scams and people hacking your account. If these things happen change your password and download anti virus scanners.

Read our tips on how to stay secure online and protect your identity from thieves.

Further information on identity theft and how to protect yourself is available at the Home Office website.

These links are provided as part of our commitment to making online banking safe and secure. However, we cannot accept responsibility or liability for the content or availability of external sites. We cannot guarantee that any software downloaded from these sites will work, or be free from viruses or malicious code.