Stay scam safe: how to spot identity theft

Identity theft happens when criminals steal personal information such as your name, address, date of birth or identity documents and use it to commit fraud. 

As digital financial systems and security networks become increasingly sophisticated, scammers have shifted their strategy. They’ve recognised that targeting individuals directly is a more efficient way to gather the information they need. 

As part of our Stay Scam Safe series, we’re sharing practical advice to help customers recognise common fraud tactics and protect themselves from scams that target individuals directly. 

Here’s how to spot the warning signs and protect yourself.

Identity theft can be difficult to spot at first. In many cases, victims do not realise anything is wrong until they receive letters, emails or notifications about accounts, loans or payments they never applied for. 

Criminals can obtain personal information in a number of ways. They may steal mail, hack into accounts, send phishing messages, or gather information people share publicly online to build a profile over time. Even small details shared on social media can help scammers piece together enough information to impersonate someone.

These scams are designed to go unnoticed for as long as possible. That’s why protecting your personal information is so important, both online and offline.

Scammers want enough information to pretend to be you.

They may use stolen details to:

• Open new accounts or apply for credit in your name
• Take over your existing accounts
• Intercept your post or redirect payments meant for you
• Hide their criminal identity 

Often, identity theft happens gradually. Criminals collect information over time, combining details from different places until they have enough to use fraudulently.

How to keep safe

When it comes to protecting your identity, a few simple habits can make all the difference:

• Check your bank statements and credit activity regularly for anything unusual
• Act quickly if you receive letters or emails about accounts or loans you did not apply for
• Shred sensitive documents before disposing of them
• Be cautious about how much personal information you share online
• Report lost or stolen bank cards, passports or driving licences immediately
• Never share passwords or one-time passcodes with anyone
• Be cautious of unexpected messages asking you to “verify” personal details

Taking a moment to pause, verify requests and protect your details can help to prevent identity theft. 

We are here to help protect you

Keeping customers safe is a responsibility we take very seriously across Sendwave and WorldRemit. If you notice unusual account activity or believe your personal information may have been compromised, contact us through our official support channels as soon as possible. The sooner suspicious activity is reported, the faster action can be taken to help protect you and others from fraud.