- Store any documents carrying personal information – such as your driving licence, passport, bank statements, utility bills or credit card transaction receipts – in a safe and secure place.
- Shred or destroy your old documents so that nothing showing your name, address or other personal details can be taken.
- Monitor your credit report and regularly check your credit card and bank statements for suspicious activity.
- When you move house, contact your bank, credit and store card providers, mobile phone provider, utility providers, TV licensing, your doctor and dentist etc, and give them your new address – you don’t want the new tenants to have access to letters containing your personal information. You can also redirect your mail by contacting Royal Mail.
- Remember, less is more. The less you give away about yourself, the lower the risk of information falling into the wrong hands.
- Think before you buy online – use a secure website which displays the company’s contact details, look for a padlock symbol and a clear privacy and returns policy. Check the web address begins with https.
How can I tell if a website is secure?
Every secure website will display two things in your web browser address bar: A LOCK symbol and the web address will begin with HTTPS
![secure site address bar image, secure_site](/media/MyCumbria/Images/InformationServices/secure_site-382x40.jpg)
Different web browsers will display the LOCK in slightly different ways (some may colour it green), but if you click on the lock you will be given more information:
![secure_site_certificate, secure site certificate image](/media/MyCumbria/Images/InformationServices/secure_site_certificate-298x240.jpg)