Identity fraud ('ID fraud') has been described as "the UK's fastest-growing crime". Follow these steps to prevent ID theft:

If you notice anything odd on your statements, or you think that someone may have accessed your accounts, contact your bank or credit-card company immediately.

B. Protect your paperwork

Destroy any unwanted bills, receipts, statements and even junk mail using a shredder. If a piece of paper has your name and address or any other personal data on it, then it could prove useful to a con-man.

Watch out for 'shoulder surfers' who may try to take note of your account information. Don't choose or change your security details in any public place.

Always keep your cards in your possession, never let them out of your sight, and never tell anyone your Personal Identification Number (PIN). When using a cash machine, or a Chip-and-PIN terminal in a shop, beware of onlookers when entering your PIN.

Don't use passwords which are easy to guess, such as 'password'! Don't tell anyone your security details, and never, ever write them down. Change your security information immediately if you suspect that anyone else may have gained access to it.

Make sure that your credit file is up to date and accurate. Look for any unusual activity, such as new accounts which you didn't open, credit searches by companies with which you haven't dealt, or links to addresses which you don't recognize.

Do you really know who is calling you? It may be a con-man claiming to be from your bank, so never give information to an unknown caller who can't prove his/her identity, regardless of who they claim to be. Call back on your bank's listed telephone number if you have any suspicions. Also, always use your bank's registered Internet address -- never click on a link in an email, regardless of its source.

When you move home, inform all the relevant organizations of your change in address. Use the Royal Mail Redirection service for at least a year to make sure that all post is forwarded to your new address. As soon as you've moved, contact your local authority and register to vote on the Electoral Register at your new address. Keep tabs on your old address to prevent replacement credit cards or mail-order catalogues falling into the hands of a fraudster -- giving the new occupants a sheet of redirection labels can help.

Make sure that you're dealing with a genuine and legitimate company before handing over any account details, especially if it has approached you.

Keep important documents (such as your birth/marriage certificates, driving license and passport) in a safe place -- but not all together, if possible. Many thieves prefer to steal these items rather than electrical equipment or jewelry, because they are easily taken and sold on -- and they weigh a lot less than a 48-inch wide-screen television!

One final warning: a growing number of banks are flogging 'ID protection services' from the likes of Card Protection Plan. Typically, these cost upwards of £5 a month or so. However, consumer champion Which? rates these services as offering very poor value for money, so they are best ignored!