Equifax CreditWatch

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information, like your name or address, to commit fraud. This can happen through phishing scams, data breaches or even physical theft of documents.

Identity theft can have devastating consequences. Fraudsters can drain your bank accounts, open credit lines in your name and even apply for benefits under your identity.

This can damage your credit score, lead to unexpected debt and even result in legal issues.

WebDetect is your proactive identity fraud protection service, constantly vigilant against fraudsters who try to exploit your personal information. By signing up for Equifax’s Credit Report & Score, you gain access to all of WebDetect’s fraud protection features.

WebDetect monitors the dark corners of the internet where criminals trade stolen data. These are hidden parts of the web not accessible by traditional search engines, but where fraudsters often congregate.

You can customise WebDetect to watch for specific information, including:

• 6 email addresses
• 6 telephone numbers
• 6 bank accounts
• 12 credit/debit cards
• Your driver’s licence
• Your national insurance number

If any of these details are identified on those monitored sites, WebDetect will alert you immediately. This early warning empowers you to take swift action to minimise the potential damage of ID theft.

Equifax SocialScan helps you identify personal information on your social media accounts that could be exploited by identity thieves.

It gives you a snapshot of your online presence, highlighting potential risks for you to address.

Equifax continuously monitors your credit report for suspicious activity that could signal identity fraud. This includes unexpected new accounts, sudden address changes or a surge in credit inquiries.

You'll be alerted immediately to any unusual activity, allowing you to react quickly and limit the impact.

Identity theft can seriously harm your credit score. When fraudsters impersonate you to open new accounts or take out loans, it can lead to missed payments, mounting debt and a severely damaged credit history.

This makes it harder to secure loans at favourable rates, get approved for credit cards and even qualify for things like rental agreements or phone contracts.

You can protect yourself from identity theft by using strong passwords for your online accounts, being cautious with the personal information you share and regularly monitoring your bank and credit card statements.

If you’re the victim of identity theft, you should immediately contact your bank, credit card companies and the police to report fraud. Then, request a copy of your credit report and check for suspicious activity.

The first signs of identity theft can include:

• Unauthorised transactions on your bank statements
• Bills for accounts you didn’t open
• New credit cards that you didn’t sign up for
• Unexpected credit score changes

Financial identity theft is the most common form of identity theft. It includes criminals using your personal information to open fraudulent accounts, applying for loans and making unauthorised purchases.

If your password is stolen, immediately change it on the affected account and any other accounts where you use the same password. Where available, consider enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security to prevent future thefts.

If you want to find out more about identity theft, explore these helpful resources:

• Understanding Identity Theft and Identity Fraud
• How to Report Identity Theft
• How to Protect Older People from Being Scammed
• 7 Signs of identity Theft