Who is using your Details?
02 Dec 2009 Tell a Friend
There has been a 12% rise in the number of cases of identity fraud since the start of the year. Data collected by National Hunter, the fraud prevention database operated by credit reference agency Experian, shows that there were 13.37 cases of identity fraud per 10,000 applications in the July-Sept period. This is compared to the January to March period when there were 11.91 cases per 10,000 applications made.
Fraudsters use the details of unsuspecting consumers to make applications for credit cards, personal loans and mortgages, with many people not realising their details have been used until they unexpectedly get turned down for credit.
Darryl Bowman from CreditExpert.co.uk, the website run by Experian, says: "The surge in cases of identity fraud is very worrying. As we get wiser to protecting ourselves from fraud, it's clear that criminals are working even harder to steal our personal details so they can apply for credit.
"Missing post, unexpected phone calls and strange emails are signs we look out for and know suggest potentially fraudulent activity. Criminals also know this and that's why they use techniques that can take a long time to detect. A new catalogue account at a new address could be the stepping stone to much more significant lines of credit and ultimately a much bigger problem for the victim to resolve."
The best way of preventing identity theft is to ensure that you only enter your details onto trusted websites. Any sites where 'https://" is not included at the start of the address are not secure, and therefore could be accessible by fraudsters.
Never provide any personal details in response to a bank's emails - banks would never ask you to email them with this kind of information, and would never even ask you to provide a full password over the phone. Con artists use a system called 'phishing' to create fraudulent emails and websites that look like they have come from banks and reputable companies, with the aim of fooling you into parting with valuable information. If in doubt, don't divulge any information, and call the bank/company back on the number provided on their website to verify.
However, your details are not just at risk online. Anyone who lives in accommodation with a shared hallway needs to be careful that their post is delivered directly to their door to avoid it being intercepted. Shred any mail giving account details, and other sensitive information such as your place of birth, date of birth or mother's maiden name.