At Excel Currencies, we support expats, immigrants, families abroad, and businesses with secure, cost-effective international money transfers every day. When you're moving money across borders — whether supporting loved ones, buying property overseas, or managing retirement funds — your personal details become a prime target for identity thieves. These criminals steal your information to open accounts, take loans, or commit fraud in your name, often leading to financial ruin and years of hassle to resolve.
Of identity fraud were recorded in the first half of 2025
Fraud risk filings to the National Fraud Database (NFD)
Identity fraud remains the most prevalent type, fuelled by AI creating synthetic identities, forged documents, and even people selling their own details for quick cash.
The threat has spread to sectors like telecoms (with massive account takeovers), insurance, and gambling, while overall fraud costs the UK economy billions annually. Expats and those handling international finances face heightened risks: data breaches, phishing during cross-border transactions, or criminals exploiting shared personal info across countries.
Contact UsFraudsters are more sophisticated than ever, leveraging technology and economic pressures:
Criminals blend real and fake data to create convincing profiles that bypass checks.
AI generates fake IDs, passports, and even voices/videos for verification scams.
A worrying new trend where individuals share their details online for promised financial gains, risking debts in their name.
Rising sharply (e.g., telecoms sector up dramatically), often starting with stolen credentials.
Leaked info from hacks or oversharing makes it easy to impersonate you for international schemes.
Cifas data shows identity fraud cases in the first half of 2025 already hit record levels, with trends pointing to continued growth through year-end.
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Spot these red flags early to protect yourself:
Loans or accounts appearing on your credit report that you didn't apply for.
E.g. mobile contracts, insurance, or other services/products you didn't request.
Rejected applications, or transactions on your financial statements that you don't recognise.
Alerts about activity you didn't initiate — worth verifying independently, not via the contact details provided.
Requests for money via WhatsApp or text that you never sent.
Login attempts flagged from unrecognised locations or devices on your accounts.
Follow these practical, 2025-updated recommendations from Cifas, Action Fraud, and UK Finance:
Contact major credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) to place a protective registration or freeze — free and prevents fraudulent applications.
Enable multi-factor authentication everywhere, especially on banking, email, and transfer accounts. Use a password manager.
Check credit reports annually (or more often via free services), review bank statements monthly, and set up alerts for unusual activity.
Never respond to unsolicited requests for personal info, and shred documents before disposal.
Verify recipient details independently (e.g., call family via known number, not just text). Use regulated providers with strong security — never share full details via unsecured channels.
Use separate emails/accounts for UK vs. overseas matters. Be wary of "free" pension/investment reviews or urgent family requests. Consider protective registration with Cifas if high-risk.
If you suspect theft, contact Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040), your bank, and credit agencies. For ongoing transfers, alert your provider to pause.
Contact UsIdentity theft doesn't just hit your wallet — it can delay international transfers, freeze accounts, or create tax/immigration complications. Scammers exploit these moments, using stolen IDs for fake schemes or to intercept funds. Staying protected lets you focus on what matters: safely supporting family abroad or building your future overseas.
At Excel Currencies, security is non-negotiable:
We use bank-grade encryption, never request sensitive details unexpectedly, and provide personal support from real humans who understand expat challenges. We never cold-call or pressure decisions — your transfers are always secure, transparent, and at bank-beating rates with no hidden fees — ever.
Identity theft can take months or years to fix, but simple habits prevent most cases. In 2025, with AI accelerating threats, vigilance is key. Take that extra step to check and secure — your future (and your money) depend on it.
Questions about secure international transfers?
Contact our team today — our team is here to help with fast, trustworthy service.
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