Top tips

• Ask why your information is needed – Think about who is asking for your personal information. Are they genuine? How will they use it? Will it be passed on to others? If you are unsure about who they are, ask to ring them back on a publicly available or advertised number.
  
  
• Think before you disclose – If you receive letters, emails, text messages or telephone calls asking for your information, don’t reply unless you know they are genuine.
  
  
• Always read the small print carefully – If organisations want to pass on your details to other organisations or use them for marketing purposes, they must as your permission first. Remember you can also opt out.
  
  
• Read the privacy notice – Find out how your personal information will be used.
  
  
• Trust your instincts – If you are not sure about the safety of a website or you don’t feel comfortable with how your personal information will be used, consider going somewhere else.
  
  
• Keep them guessing – Use different passwords and PINs for different accounts.
  
  
• Who can see your information – Take extra care when using public computers to access personal information.
  
  
• Think before you buy – Use a secure website which displays the company’s contact details, look for a golden padlock symbol and a clear privacy and returns policy. Check the web address begins with https.
  
  
• Remember to log out – Make sure you log out of secure sites.
  
  
• Keep your computer safe – Use firewall and anti virus software.
  
  
• Check your records – Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for any unfamiliar transactions on your account. You can also obtain copies of your credit file to check for any suspicious activity by contacting Experian, Equifax and Callcredit.

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