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Check your credit report for signs of identity theft
Run a free credit check via Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion to see if anyone has applied for credit in your name. Catching identity theft early limits the financial and personal damage significantly.
Why this matters
Identity theft in the UK frequently involves someone applying for credit cards, loans, or mobile phone contracts in your name. Victims often do not discover this until they are rejected for credit or receive bills for accounts they never opened. A free credit check takes twenty minutes and shows any applications or accounts you did not authorise.
How to do it
- Go to one of the three UK credit reference agencies: Experian (experian.co.uk), Equifax (equifax.co.uk), or TransUnion (transunion.co.uk) — all offer a free basic credit report.
- Create an account and request your credit report.
- Review the list of credit applications — look for any applications or accounts you do not recognise.
- If you see an application or account you did not make, contact the credit agency immediately to place a notice of correction or a credit freeze, and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
- Sign up for ongoing monitoring alerts if the service offers them — many agencies provide free alerts for new credit applications made in your name.
Need a more detailed walkthrough?
Our step-by-step guide explains each action in full detail, with confirmation steps and related tasks.
View full step-by-step guide →Cyber Essentials framework
This task falls under the User Accesscontrol, one of five areas assessed in the UK's Cyber Essentials scheme. Completing it counts toward your Cyber Essentials alignment. Create a free account to track your progress across all five areas.
Worth repeating. This is not a one-and-done task. Revisit it every 3–6 months to keep your protection current.
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