More than 100,000 people become a victim of identity theft every year in the UK. It occurs when personal information is obtained by someone else without the owner's knowledge. It may support criminal activity including fraud, deception, or obtaining benefits and services in the victim's name.

Now the Home Office has issued a leaflet to advise the public on how to avoid becoming a victim.

Shredding personal documents such as bills, receipts and bank statements is one way people can reduce the risk of falling victim to fraudsters and an estimated one million personal shredders are sold each year as a result of public concern about identity fraud. This is a dramatic increase on previous years and other organisations are being encouraged to reinforce the message that simple steps can help the public protect themselves from identity fraud.

"Criminals can use stolen personal details to open bank accounts, obtain credit cards, loans, state benefits and other documents in your name - and if your identity is stolen it can take a long time to put your records and your life straight," said Home Office minister Andy Burnham.

"The Government's plans to introduce a National Identity Cards scheme will help individuals to prove their identity and protect it from being misused or stolen by criminals," he said.

The leaflet advises that you may be at risk of becoming a victim of identity fraud if you:

• Lose or have had important documents stolen such as passports or driving licences;
• Don’t receive post that you expect to, for example from a bank.

Indicators that you might have had your identity stolen include:

• Items appearing on your bank or credit-card statements that you do not recognise
• Applying for a state benefit and being told that you are already claiming
• Receiving bills, invoices or receipts addressed to you for goods or services you haven't asked for
• Being refused a financial service, such as a credit card or loan, despite having a good credit history
• Having a mobile-phone contract set up in your name without your knowledge
• Receiving letters from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that aren't yours.

The leaflets will be available in main police stations, libraries, Citizen's Advice Bureaux, UK Passport Service regional offices and local DVLA offices.

Guidance to prevent identity theft is also available at www.identity-theft.org.uk