Send feedback QuitQuick quit Skip to content

How can I protect myself from identity theft and reduce the risks of other crimes resulting from it?

As a result of the society’s digitalisation, identity protection has become more and more important. Almost anyone can become subject to identity theft, and the prevention of identity theft is not easy, although something can be done.

  • Do not throw papers, which contain your personal information, into paper recycling containers or anywhere else where they can end up in the wrong hands.
  • By reducing the amount of paper mail, you reduce the risks. For example, most invoices can be ordered as electronic invoices to online banking.
  • A locked mailbox prevents others from looking through your mail.
  • Do not share your social security number or other personal information with strangers. Be careful when dealing with, e.g. people presenting themselves as telephone salespeople. They do not need, for example, your social security number. Online banking IDs are also never asked over the phone.
  • Think carefully about which websites you provide your personal information.
  • Do not store information that contains passwords and pin codes in such a way that they are disclosed to third parties. For example, don’t store your payment card’s pin number in the same place with your card.
  • Ensure that you have withdrawal and payment limits on your accounts and payment cards. Check your account statements to make sure there are no unauthorised charges.
  •  If you wish, you can ask your insurance company about the possibility of an identity theft policy.
  • If you feel, you are at a particular risk of becoming a victim of identity theft, you can register a non-disclosure of personal information at the Population Register Centre, magistrate and Trafi. Discuss the possible everyday disadvantages caused by the orders with the relevant parties.
  • Ensure that the software and antispyware of network devices you use are up-to-date. They should be updated on a regular basis.

If you have become a victim of identity theft or a victim of a crime caused by identity theft

(Source: Tietoturva ry, Pyry Heikkinen)

If your personal information is used improperly for fraud purposes

  1. If necessary, prepare a Personal Non-disclosure order to Asiakastieto and Dun & Bradstreet (former Bisnode)
  2. Ensure the accuracy of your address details with the Population Register Centre, magistrate and Post, and if necessary, correct your address details
  3. Collect evidence (e.g. Order confirmation), contact the police and report a crime
  4. Contact the organisations (e.g. Merchants, from who goods are ordered with stolen personal information) who are subject to fraud and if necessary make reclamations of the orders
  5. If necessary, contact Victim Support Finland’s service point

If your personal information is misused by bullying or harassment purposes

  1. Request for fake profiles or messages to be removed from social media services, internet search engines and other services and registers
  2. Ensure the accuracy of your address details with the Population Register Centre, magistrate and Post, and if necessary, correct your address details
  3. If your accounts on social media services or other online services have been hacked
    • Change your password
    • In some online services, it is possible to see all active logins for the relevant service. Close all active logins on this page.
    • If possible, use strong identification
    • Check that the email address for resetting the password is correct and
    • If necessary, ask the service provider for help in restoring your account
  4. Collect evidence (e.g. Screenshots), if necessary contact the police and report a crime
  5. If necessary, contact Victim Support Finland’s service point

If your payment card details are used improperly

  1. Shut-off your payment card immediately and notify your bank or other payment card company about the misuse
  2. Collect information about the unauthorised payment transactions and, if necessary, report the crime to the police
  3. Request rectification for the unauthorised charges from your payment card company
  4. If the unauthorised payment has been made via a third-party payment service (e.g. PayPal) or an online store, contact the service provider, notify the issue and request the payment to be cancelled
  5. If necessary, contact Victim Support Finland’s service point

Read more

Identity theft means using another person’s identity