I assume that if I sign up for online credit monitoring (c.£75pa) & CIFAS checks (£11.75) I will be able to write these expenses off against any tax demand from HMRC?

Andy, Maidenhead, Berks

Scammers send emails to victims directing them to fraudulent web sites. Their email address and the Web address have a striking similarity to the true addresses. Readers should not take direction from an email to a financial institution's site unless they are certain the web sites are legitimate. Simply by logging into fraudulent sites puts you at risk. Providing your financial details to a fraudulent site sends your life into a nightmare. The financial institutions usually print their web address on the monthly statements or on the back of debit and credit cards. A little caution can save many problems.

Chuck, Florida,

Keep as little as possible in your current account, move sums from the deposit a/c when required, but get a guaranteed overdraft from the bank and if a crook starts to use a credit card the bank will soon squeal if and when the ofverdraft limit is reached.
Pete.London

Pete, london, London, england

Perhaps we should refuse to respond to any Government communication requesting personal or financial information until we can be assured beyond doubt, that the data will be safe. If perhaps we could all be given the financial details of the PM, senior ministers, senior civil servants, so that we can recompense ourselves for ay loss. Of course, we would have to have ID cards to prove that we are citizens in good standing, but the hursle to make a claim ought to be set very low. Remember the joke about the nervous patient and the dentist for which the punchline is ...'now we're not going to hurt each other are we?'

Bill Q, Derby,

There is increasing merit in the idea of abandoning all forms of electronic finance......bring back the old ways!!

stevep, london,

Do you know what? I have spent most of my life sufering at the hands of the Government, who in the 70's were deemed to be my legal parents?!?! Technology & this 'Nanny State' are drawing GREAT BRITAIN to a close. Is this just another ploy for stelth taxes? We are all going to pay in the end to put it right!!!! Northern Rock, Barclays! How can WE trust the System? I await my bank statement. Oh and the speeding offences, penalty charges, council taxes, parking fees, increase in petrol prices. WAKE UP GOVERNMENT, we are NOT AMUSED!!!!!!!!!!!

Jane, Royston, Hertfordshire

I am exceedingly worried by this loss of data since my daughter's birth certificate also went missing two years ago within the child benefit agency . I have two children and the certificates were posted in the same envelope with my application. However, the agency claimed it only ever received my son's certificate. At the time I was concerned about potential identity theft and requested an investigation. However, I was advised that mine was an isolated incident and the agency refused to pursue the matter, leaving me to replace my daughter's certificate. I do now wonder whether some wider theft has taken place.

Mrs C Andrews, Chichester, UK