Most importantly...

• Never let anyone else use your debit, credit or charge cards
• Immediately sign the back of new cards
• Always destroy old, expired cards by cutting them up

Protect your PIN

• Never keep your PIN in your wallet, purse or diary, or record it in a way that others could understand
• Do not tell anyone else your PIN, password or security information
• Always try to cover your hand when entering your PIN at a terminal or ATM to prevent others seeing your number

Shop wisely online

• When shopping online, only use "secure" web pages. A web page is secure if there is a locked padlock in the lower right-hand corner of your browser or if the address starts with 'https', where the 's' stands for secure.

Review your statements regularly

• Keep copies of your receipts and compare them to your statement
• Call your card issuer as soon as possible if an unrecognised charge or charges appear on one of your statements
• When no longer required, make sure you destroy or securely dispose of any unwanted statements
• Checking your statements is easy to do with online services - you can check your transactions daily. Or register for Card Alerts to monitor your account activity, with weekly account balance updates by email or text message.

Protect yourself from identity theft

• Safeguard all your personal information and documents, especially your date of birth - this information can be used to steal your identity
• Tear up or shred any sensitive information from financial organisations or utility companies when no longer needed
• Review your credit reference report (see below) regularly; this may be the only way to identify fraudulent activity when you are the victim of identity theft
• For a small monthly sum, our Identity Defence plan^* will give you unlimited access to your credit report as well as providing an alert system that notifies you if your credit report is being accessed

Protect yourself from phishing

Phishing takes the form of fake emails or websites that try and get you to part with sensitive financial information like log-in details or passwords.

• Never release your card number, card security code, PIN or password to an unknown party. Beware of parties calling or emailing you and requesting security information. If you are unsure about the identity of a caller, phone the company back using the number on your card or statement. Note: American Express^® is obliged to identify you when calling you. We will normally ask only for partial answers to security questions.
• Keep your anti-virus software and firewall up-to-date to prevent fraudsters accessing your details via your computer

Credit reference agencies

Experian Ltd.
Consumer Help Service
PO Box 9000
Nottingham
NG80 7WP
0870 241 6212
www.experian.co.uk

Callcredit Ltd
Consumer Services Team
PO Box 491
Leeds
LS3 1WZ
0870 060 1414
www.callcredit.com