New campaign launched to help people protect their identities across North Wales
North Wales residents are being urged to take simple steps to protect their personal information and avoid identity theft.
People across North Wales are being urged to take simple steps to protect their personal information online, as a new campaign aims to help prevent identity theft and fraud.
Get Safe Online has teamed up with North Wales Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin to provide advice to residents on how to keep their identities safe.
Get Safe Online CEO Tony Neate says identity theft often starts with criminals collecting small pieces of information from social media, email accounts and other sources.
He said: “Fraudsters gather snippets of information from social media, insecure email accounts and anything you’ve shared publicly.”
Residents are being advised to think carefully before posting personal information online, including birthdays, pet names and family details, which could potentially be used to guess passwords.
People are also being warned never to share photos of passports, driving licences or other sensitive documents online.
Other advice includes using strong, unique passwords for every account, keeping devices and software updated and regularly checking credit reports for suspicious activity.
Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said personal information is “one of our most valuable assets” and urged people to take simple steps to protect themselves.
He said: “A few small changes, such as using strong passwords, being cautious about what you share online and regularly checking your accounts, can make a significant difference.”
D/S David Buckley, from North Wales Police's Cyber Crime Team, says a compromised password could give criminals access to much more than one account.
He said: “A compromised password can give hackers and scammers the keys to your entire digital life.”
Residents can find more advice on protecting their identity through Get Safe Online