Surprisingly the most common methods identity thieves have of obtaining your personal information is by unsophisticated means such as stealing your wallet/handbag or by going through the rubbish for carelessly thrown away documents (bank statements, credit card bills etc), so despite the fact that identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world there is actually quite a lot you can do to avoid becoming a victim.

Protect Your Valuables
If you carry around any personal information with you such as credit cards, insurance cards, diaries or contact details then make sure you look after these carefully, and never leave your wallet or bags unattended.  If you are staying away from home make sure you keep your valuables with you at all times unless the hotel has a safe in which you can deposit them, and don’t just leave them in your hotel room with the rest of your luggage.  Try to avoid taking any credit cards and other valuables to the gym with you, as you will have to leave your bag/wallet whilst you are using the facilities, and although most gyms have lockers they are usually not very secure and can be targeted by thieves.  Never carry around key identity documents such as passports or drivers licenses unless you really need them, as this can make them vulnerable to getting lost or stolen.

Home Security
At home make sure your property is protected against casual intruders by fitting secure locks to all of the access points (doors, windows, gates etc) and making sure you lock the house up securely if you are going out.  Don’t leave a spare key anywhere outside your property, as thieves are good at guessing typical hiding places, and if you do need to make key copies for family or friends make sure they look after them and tell them to alert you immediately if these get lost of stolen.

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