Check the identity of your customers - both businesses and consumners. Use credit reference agencies to verify and authenticate the identity of customers.

COMPANIES HOUSE provides useful guidelines on how companies can protect themselves. However, it is a public record source and not a crime prevention service or credit reference agency. Always satisfy yourself that your customer is legitimate through additional means.

Company bank accounts. Do not allow details of the company accounts to be in the public domain where fraudsters may obtain sufficient detail to facilitate an attack on the account through impersonating signatories.

Formulate and ahere to a document disposal policy to protect your business and employees.

Store sensitive documents in a safe place and limit access to employees who really need them. For more information on document retention contact Fellowes for a free copy of the Records Management Handbook.

Shred all documents and electronic media - Businesses have a duty of care to protect their customer's and employee's information and a legal obligation to do so. Principle 7 of the Data Protection Act requires businesses to dispose of personal information securely. Shredding documents is the best way to destroy them securely. For higher security always use a Confetti-cut shredder that cuts paper into small particles.

Inform staff about the risks of corporate identity fraud and caution them about giving out company information without first checking who they are giving the information to.