POLICE are warning people in Lancashire about the dangers of identity theft, with figures on the rise.

As part of National ID Fraud Week, Lancashire Constabulary is urging residents to guard their personal and confidential information.

Criminals can steal a person’s identity by gaining access to personal or confidential information, using it to order goods or services, take out loans and credit cards or open bank accounts in their name.

Thieves can get hold of confidential information in a number of ways including the theft of bags/wallets, stealing bank statements and other key information from bins, redirecting post and sending bogus emails.

DS Janet Baldwin, from the economic crime unit, said: “Finding out someone has stolen your identity can be devastating.”