Your identity and personal information are valuable. Criminals can find out your personal details and use them to open bank accounts and get credit cards, loans, state benefits and documents such as passports and driving licences in your name. If your identity is stolen, you may have difficulty getting loans, credit cards or a mortgage until the matter is sorted out.

According to figures just released from the Home Office, identity theft is one of the fastest-growing U.K. crimes. Their figures show that it is increasing more than 500% each year.

There are many different reasons as to why the statistics on identity theft have increased so dramatically over recent years, especially with advances made in technology. The growth of computers and the Internet in the world of today has been exponential, making it so much easier for people to be able to steal someone else's identity.

Identity theft can occur in a variety of ways. Thieves steal individuals personal information to take over their credit accounts, open new ones, take out a loan, rent a flat, access bank accounts, or commit many other crimes in someone else's name and at their expense. Such crimes include obtaining state benefits, driving licenses and most lucratively passports all in the victim's name.

When it strikes, the effects can be devastating. What's more, because it frequently involves no physical theft, identity theft may not be noticed by its victims until significant damage has been done, which is often several months and thousands of pounds later.

You may become a victim of identity theft if you have lost or had stolen important documents such as your passport or driving licence. Alternatively it could apply if post expected from your bank has not arrived or you are receiving post at all.

You may already be a victim of identity theft if items have appeared on your bank or credit card statements that you do not recognize, or you have applied for a state benefit but are told that you are already claiming. Other things to look for is if you receive bills, invoices or receipts addressed to you for goods or services you haven't asked for. You may have been refused a financial service, such as a credit card or a loan, despite having a good credit history. Becoming more common is where a mobile phone contract has been set up in your name without your knowledge. Finally, you may have received letters from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that aren't yours.

A person who has had their identity stolen will find it difficult to getting loans, credit cards or a mortgage until the matter is sorted out. If you think you are a victim, act quickly to make sure you are not liable for financial losses caused by criminals using your identity. Report lost or stolen documents, such as passports, driving licences, credit cards and cheque books to the organization that issued them. If someone has fraudulently opened an account in your name, contact the company concerned immediately. Contact your bank or credit card company to report suspicious transactions on your statement. Finally, get a copy of your personal credit file and report any suspicious entries. Report the matter to your local police and ask for a crime reference number.

Residents in the United Kingdom can contact CIFAS, which is the UK's Fraud Prevention Service, to apply for protective registration if you believe you are a victim of identity fraud or at risk of becoming one. Once you have registered, CIFS members will carry out extra checks whenever anyone, including you, applies for a financial service using your address. They do this to make sure that a criminal is not trying to commit fraud by pretending to be you. You will have to pay a charge for this service.