In a recent survey conducted by Fellowes to highlight the risk of bin raiding and dumpster diving a worrying trend emerged, it seems that despite media coverage on the increasing risk of identity theft a staggering 79% of household waste contained at least one item that could compromise their identity ,while at least half of us were throwing away enough for a criminal to steal an identity completely in order to commit a wide range of fraudulent activity such as applying for loans and credit cards, emptying bank accounts and purchasing goods and services.

The most effective way of dealing with sensitive data is to invest in a shredder designed for your lifestyle, there’s no point buying a machine designed for top secret government data if you just have a few personal bills to deal with .It is essential to completely destroy utility bills, statements, letters and anything which contains your name and address including junk mail. If you move house have your mail redirected even if you think you have told everyone that you have moved, there will be a few at least that you have forgotten!

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The best way to protect your self against this type of crime is to be aware of the dangers, look out for shoulder surfers when you visit an ATM and shield your pin entry at all times. Distraction is a common means of stealing a wallet or bag so be vigilant and do not carry your driving license , passport and all your credit cards together.

Avid followers of The Hustle will have seen that businesses are often prime target for all kinds of scams so be sure that part of your company training highlights the kind of crimes that they are likely to encounter. Again the distraction technique is very effective particularly during times when a shop or office is very busy or low on staff numbers such as  at lunch hours when the office is empty and people are expected to be coming and going.

Encourage staff to challenge anyone’s reason for being on the premises, install lockers for bags and personal effects whilst pin entry door locks will deter all but the most determined of thieves. CCTV systems need not be expensive and even a dummy box will deter would be criminals. Why not ask a "trusted" infiltrator to test your systems on a regular basis ,it will certainly highlight any flaws that might exist and certainly keep security at the forefront of the workforces minds if they are caught out!....a word of warning  though...you will not be popular if your tester spends the night in jail because you were not around to vouch for them!

Any business that handles cash should invest in ultraviolet note checkers which will detect fraudulent ink and watermarks and something as simple as a counterfeit detector pen will show grey or brown marks if a note is a forgery.   

Most businesses hold sensitive data regarding their employees and with strict laws regarding data protection and the recent scandals involving the loss of personal date it is essential that companies take the subject of privacy seriously.

Payroll data will often include an employees bank details along with personal data regarding address,maiden names and other sensitive personal information which should not be available to prying eyes. Ensure that this kind of data is securely locked away in a filing cabinet  or safe.