Additional information and recommended actions
If you have not already done so we recommend that you sign-up to the free monitoring services provided by companies such as Experian , Transunion and/or Clearscore. These free services provide access to your credit report so that you can monitor and check for unusual activity.
As a precaution we advise you to remain extra vigilant at all times and to follow the steps below:
BE ALERT TO ANY SUSPICIOUS COMMUNICATION
Be alert to any suspicious communications (including emails, letters, text messages and/or calls), and if you suspect that a communication may be malicious, do not open it, and do not open any link or attachment contained in it. Scammers may send fake emails or make fake calls pretending to be from banks or trusted companies.
CAREFULLY READ ANY COMMUNICATIONS
Carefully read any communications sent to you (including texts and emails), particularly if the sender is asking for your personal or financial details. Look out for common red flags that suggest that the email you have received is malicious or someone is trying to scam you, for example:
FORWARD ANY SUSPICIOUS EMAILS
If you receive a suspicious personal email, we suggest forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk. If you receive suspicious text messages and telephone calls, forward the details of the text and what was said on the call to 7726 (free of charge). Check your financial statements regularly for any unusual payments that you do not recognise.
USE STRONG PASSWORDS AND CHANGE THEM REGULARLY
Use strong passwords and change them regularly. Try to keep them at least eight characters long and use numbers, upper case, lower case, and symbols. Make use of multi-factor authentication where it is available, particularly on banking and other financial apps.
KNOW YOUR BANKS CONTACT DETAILS
Make sure you know how to contact your bank and credit card providers if you identify and need to report any suspicious activity.
NEVER GIVE OUT PERSONAL DETAILS OVER THE PHONE
Never give out personal details over the telephone, unless you are sure who you are speaking to. Have the confidence to refuse an unusual request for information. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting to give you time to stop and think.
INSTALL THE LATEST SECURITY UPDATES ON YOUR DEVICES
Make sure you install the latest security updates on your electronic devices and check any anti-virus software is up to date.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK's independent body set up to uphold information rights. Its website is a good source of more information about how to protect your personal data online when using computers and other devices:https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online.
If you think you have been a victim of fraud, you should report it to Action Fraud. Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud and internet crime reporting centre. You can contact it on Tel. 0300 123 2040 or via its website at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.
You can find out more about how to avoid being scammed by visiting the FCA’s ScamSmart website: https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides additional helpful guidance for people whose personal data may have been impacted by a cyber incident: