The Department for Work and Pensions has warned Brits over mistake which could leave them open to fraud
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a stark warning to anyone holding a National Insurance number. Numerous fraudsters are reportedly exploring countless methods to steal your personal information, with the primary objective of stealing your identity.
According to reports, the first six months of 2025 alone witnessed 118,000 documented cases of identity theft across the UK. Criminals who successfully steal victims’ identities can exploit that information to secure loans and even submit insurance claims using their name.
The DWP has highlighted that one straightforward method victims can inadvertently surrender their personal details, including their National Insurance number, is by including excessive information on their CV. Whilst it’s crucial for a CV to contain some personal information when seeking employment, employers should never request you to include your National Insurance Number on it.
Posting on X, the DWP declared: “Fraudsters look for personal details to steal your identity Do not share your full address, date of birth or National Insurance number on your CV”.
Recruitment scams
Another common employment and recruitment scam launched by fraudsters involves contacting people who have placed a CV or their personal details through online job sites. Fraudsters posing as a fake employer may pretend to offer victims a role.
However, in some cases, the fake employer will say that there may be fees that have to be paid as part of the employment process, and may even refer the person to a supposed agency for those fees. However, in reality, all fees paid that are supposed to help with the job are just going straight into the scammers pocket.
Simple steps to avoid scammers
Here are some quick checks everyone can perform regularly to identify and avoid potential scams.
Never disclose your financial or personal details
Avoid sharing your personal or financial information with anyone. This includes refraining from jotting down your banking details.
If you can commit your information to memory, this is the safest approach, but if you do need to note down your details, ensure they’re stored in a secure place and not carried around when shopping. Reputable retailers will never request your PIN, CVC number or other online banking identifiers.
Regularly review your bank statement
If you spot an unfamiliar transaction, it’s crucial to notify your bank straight away to have the card blocked. Most banks operate a dedicated fraud action line, where you can report the theft and ask for a refund.
Keep tabs on your cards
If you misplace any of your bank cards or suspect they’ve been stolen, you should get in touch with your bank immediately so they can freeze it.
Many banks now allow you to do this via their app rather than phoning up, which can expedite the process. It might be handy to have your bank’s contact details and phone number at hand, so you can reach out to them if necessary.
Be wary of suspicious emails or texts
Avoid responding to text messages or emails if you’re uncertain of their authenticity. A solid rule of thumb is to never disclose private, personal information.
This includes details such as your bank account information or passwords; no legitimate company should ever request these.
Emails or texts with grammatical errors can often indicate a phishing scam from an illegitimate source, so it’s best to avoid opening these.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links
Refrain from clicking on any links if you’re unsure of their legitimacy.
Avoid downloading anything sent to you via email or text. It’s advisable to have antivirus software installed, which will scan for malware and safeguard against phishing attacks.