Morgan Stanley launches identity theft risk tool
Morgan Stanley has developed an online risk calculator to help credit card users find out whether they are likely to be victims of identity theft. Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes in the UK. The launch of the tool coincides with National Identity Fraud Prevention Week.
The calculator asks people a series of questions about their homes, how they store or dispose of personal information, how they use their credit cards and other factors which might affect their risk of being victims of identity fraud. It uses a green to red warning system to give people an assessment of their risk.
Morgan Stanley has also issued the following recommendations to help credit card holders avoid becoming victims or card fraud:
- Keep cards safe and in sight (or in your pocket) at all times.
- Discard receipts and personal information carefully – shred such items if possible.
- Report missing cards immediately to enable the issuing bank to block the card.
- Do not give your card details over the phone to cold callers.
- Check statements carefully. If you find an unfamiliar transaction, contact your card issuer.
- Never write down your password or PIN and never disclose them to anyone. We will only ever ask you to confirm certain letters from your password.
- Keep personal documents, plastic cards and chequebooks in a safe and secure location.
- Be alert. If you think someone is watching you enter your PIN, cancel the transaction and go to another machine.
- Shop on secure websites only.