The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an urgent warning to anyone possessing a National Insurance number. Numerous fraudsters may be examining a multitude of methods to steal your personal information with the primary objective of stealing your identity.
According to reports, in the past six months of 2025 alone, there have been 118,000 documented cases of identity theft across the UK. Criminals who steal victims’ identities can utilise that information to secure loans and even make insurance claims in their name.
The DWP has declared that one straightforward way victims can fall for surrendering their personal details, like 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 applying for employment, employers should never request you to include your National Insurance Number on it.
Posting on X, the DWP said: “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 prevalent employment and recruitment scam deployed by fraudsters involves contacting individuals who have posted a CV or their personal details through online job sites. Fraudsters masquerading as a bogus employer may pretend to offer victims a position. However, in some instances, the counterfeit employer may suggest that there are fees to be paid as part of the employment process.
They may even direct the individual to a supposed agency for these fees. In reality, all fees paid under the guise of aiding with the job are merely lining the scammer’s 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.