Identity theft “rose by 20% in 2009″
Posted under: According to UK credit reference agency Experian, cases of identity theft rocketed by 20% in 2009 with advisors helping 5,000 victims over the course of the year, a fifth more than in 2008.
What’s Identity Theft?
Identity Theft is the practice of assuming someone else’s identity to apply for financial products including loans, credit cards, hire purchase agreements, mobile phones and other forms of credit. In extreme cases, scammers can also apply for passports, driving licenses and other official documents to effectively “become” you and apply for housing, benefits and even jobs.
If it happens to you, you could find it difficult to obtain credit, bank accounts or mortgages until it’s sorted out, and even find yourself liable for credit agreements you never applied for.
Who’s at risk?
Analysts at Experian said that their data showed that whilst wealthy people continued to be at the greatest risk of having their identity stolen, with company directors and business owners most likely to be victims, there was a growing trend among fraudsters to target mass-market victims, with criminals carrying out a high volume of low-value frauds on people whose identities were easier to steal, rather than focusing on high net worth individuals. As a result, it said young couples, single parents and people who lived in shared rented accommodation were now also at a high risk of being victims of fraud.
How does it happen?
Criminals commit identity theft by stealing your personal information. This can be done by taking documents from your rubbish or by making contact with you and pretending to be from a legitimate organisation such as your bank or credit card issuer. It can also be done online, through “phishing” attacks which trick you into revealing your login details for your bank account, then redirecting your statements to a new address.
How can you protect yourself?
Keep your personal documents safe – Use a lockable cabinet or safe to store your passport, driving license and birth certificate and don’t throw away credit card or bank statements, receipts or letters. If you need to dispose of them, use a shredder to ensure that the information can’t be read.
Keep an eye on your finances – Check statements as soon as they arrive and report any suspicious transactions to your bank or credit card issuer straight away
Keep your details safe – NEVER give your personal information to anybody who calls you, even if they say they’re from your bank or credit card supplier. If someone calls you, ask for their name and extension number then call the organisation back using the number printed on your bank statement.
Check your credit report regularly – Checking your own credit report doesn’t affect your credit rating and will alert you to any credit accounts taken out in your name. Experian offer a service called “Credit Expert” which allows you to receive email alerts as soon as your credit history changes.You can get a FREE 30 day trial of Credit Expert here.
===============================================================================
Blog Disclosure Scam Detectives will receive a small commission from Experian for every free trial taken up through this post. These commissions will be used to help fund our work providing scam warnings and advice to Internet users and “Scam Detectives Live!” presentations to schools and community groups.
[...] Identity theft “rose by 20% in 2009″ | Scam Detectives [...]
[...] more here: Identity theft “rose by 20% in 2009″ | Scam Detectives Tagged with: [ also, assuming-someone, financial-products, forms, hire-purchase, identity theft, [...]