anyone got identity theft protection?

[bubble2bubble]

Just been on the phone to Barclaycard to confirm receipt of a new card & been given a very hard sell on identity theft protection - £80 for the year but covers everything from card fraud to number plate cloning to anyone applying for credit checks in your name...

Thing is, my cards have been used fraudulently in the past but Barclaycard always seem to be very on the ball and have phoned me straightaway - so is it worth it? ( last week someone applied to change my address with Barclaycard and then went on a spending spree amounting to several thousand... so probably a bit paranoid at the momnent

I don't think it's worth it, personally. I think that with some simple precautions, you can protect yourself against identity fraud. Shredding utiity bills and statements. Being discriminating about using your card on-line. If you monitor your accounts and check statements carefully you can be on top of any suspicious transactions. Credit card transactions already have various protections built in. Plus, as you've already discovered, if your account is compromised, the banks etc., are pretty good at dealing with it.

Check out the latest Which report, they have reviewed the necessity of these plans and basically say they aren't worth it. As long as you haven't been negligent, your maximum liability with any fraud will be £50 or £100 and the bank or card provider is liable for anything more than that.

Not being at all cynical but these types of insurance policies generate lots of commission for the bank or card provider. The hard sell is likely more for that reason than your well being !

Good idea - will look at that.
I do tend to think it is unnecessary and also slightly object to having to stay on the phone listening to the hard sell - would never buy anything that way for sure.

Well why would you buy ID cover from a bank - are they saying that your money isn't safe with them...?

Llyodstsb told me my money wasn't safe in my account over the phone, so I told them that was fine I would move my account if my money wasn't safe with them..they back tracked rapidly