Citizens Advice offers information to Newark and Sherwood residents on banking security and identity theft

The group Citizens Advice has shared information on how residents can improve banking security and avoid identity theft.

If worried that someone might have access to your bank account, the advice group recommends contacting your bank or building society immediately.

This includes if your card or security details have been lost or stolen, statements shows payments you don’t recognise, your card has reached its limit or account has gone into overdraft — and you weren’t expecting it.

Concerned residents should check their bank statement or the bank’s website for the phone number to call for reporting security issues, or go to a branch in person.

If you haven’t had money taken from your account, your bank or building society will still take action to protect your account, such as canceling your card or changing your security details.

If money has been taken from your account this is known as fraud and is illegal.

When you contact your bank, they’ll take action straight away to protect your account so no more money can be taken.

This crime should also be reported to the police through Action Fraud, who will log it and provide a crime reference number.

Action Fraud can be contacted from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, by phoning 0300 123 2040.

If you’ve received a scam email, text or phone call, you can also report a scam to action fraud.

If someone used your name to open new accounts, get credit or buy services, this is known as identity theft.

An example of this could be if you start receiving bank letters, bills or letters from debt collectors that you know nothing about.

You should contact your bank straight away, keeping a record of all conversations and copies of letters to do with the fraud.

The bank will investigate, take action to protect your accounts and refer the crime to the police.

If you think someone has applied for credit in your name — for example because you have had letters about loans or credit cards you didn’t apply for — you should also contact the main credit reference agencies.

When doing so, explain that you have been a victim of identity theft and ask them what credit accounts or services are on your file. Tell them which ones you didn’t apply for and ask for the information to be removed.

The credit reference agency will contact those companies listed on your file to sort out the accounts that were wrongly opened in your name.

You should contact all three agencies — TransUnion, Equifax, Experian — as each one might only have part of your file.

You can also ask for the credit reference agency to add a password to your file, which is called a ‘notice of correction’ password. The credit reference agency will then ask you for the password if you apply for credit.

If you think someone has obtained your details by stealing your post, or by redirecting mail, you should contact the Royal Mail Customer Enquiry Number on 03457 740 740.

The Citizens Advice offices at Castle House in Newark are open Tuesday/Thursday, from 9.30am to 2.30pm, and the Ollerton office at 5 Forest Court is open Monday/Wednesday, from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

Alternatively phone 01623 861769, or email: admin@ca-centralnotts.org.uk