Don't Throw Your Life Away
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TIPS ON AVOIDING ID THEFT |
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MOST OF US ARE STILL BEING CARELESS WITH HOW WE BIN OUR PERSONAL DETAILS,
WARNS JAYNE ATHERTON
Three-quarters of us have now been stung by identity theft or have friends and family who have been affected by ID fraud. And no wonder! For, as Britain's third Identity Fraud Prevention Week gets under way today, 'bin raiding' research by paper-shredder manufacturer Fellowes reveals nearly 80 per cent of us are still careless with our personal details. It is estimated that more than l9million households regularly place sensitive material in their bins, while 11 per cent still throw away documents containing credit and debit card numbers. The combination of a complete card number with its expiry date and the owner's signature was found in the waste bags of 13 per cent of households. Yet this information is all a fraudster needs to apply for credit cards, mobile phone contracts and even open a bank account in someone's name. These documents are also vital if a criminal needs to prove their stolen identity. This week's campaign, supported by the police, credit reference agencies and the Home Office among others, aims to educate consumers and businesses about the dangers of ID fraud and remind everyone about the steps that can be taken to prevent it.
Vulnerable sections
The wealthiest and most creditworthy sections of society are most at risk,
according to research by credit reference agency Experian. But graduates
and young professionals who are renting accommodation were also found to
be highly vulnerable because post is often left lying around in communal
areas of apartment blocks and residents forget to redirect post when they
move. Neil Munroe, external affairs director at credit reference agency Equifax,
says: 'I don't know anyone who would leave their wallet open for thieves
to simply take the cash or cards but that is virtually what is happening
with people's personal details - both in terms of information thrown away
and information put on the Web. Personal information is a valuable asset.'
Shredding documents, protecting the information you keep, only sending
information through your home computer and checking personal credit reports
for signs that someone is running up debts in your name are effective and
cheap ways to start protecting your identity.
OVERSEAS STOLEN CARD USE SOARS |
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Plastic card fraudsters are now stealing more cash overseas than at
home. Losses from British-issued cards being used abroad more than doubled
in the first six months of this year from £48.1 million to more than
£l08million. The figures, released by the payment and clearing organisation
Apacs showed total card losses increased by 26 per cent between January and
June this year compared to the first half of 2006. But domestic card fraud
was down four per cent, with losses at retailers falling 11 per cent and
57 per cent from cash machines. The introduction of Chip and Pin has rnade
it more difficult to commit fraud at home, said Apacs. The organisation said
Criminals were now copying magnetic strip data on domestic cards on to fake
cards which they use in countries that haven't updated to the system.
Future reference
But if you are prepared to invest in keeping track of your details, then
credit reference agencies offer a variety of services.
Mycallcredit.com, for example,charges
£9.95 for a copy of a credit report which can be viewed online. An unlimited
quarterly access service to your credit report costs £8.95 for three
months, and an e-alert service which constantly monitors your credit report
and sends texts or e-mails if there are any changes. This is available on
a free 30-day trial and then costs £39.95. You can order a report online,
by post or by phone from Experian for £2. Membership of its online
credit report service through CreditExpert is free for the first 30
days and then costs £6.99 per month. Text alerts to warn of significant
changes, are included in the price. A credit report from Equifax costs
£9.95. Its Credit Watch monitoring service is £49.99 for
12 months for level silver, which sends e-mail alerts or mobile phone texts
within seven days, or £69.99 for the annual gold service, which sends
out warnings within 24 hours. There's a free 30-day trial but you have to
sign up for a minimum of three months.
Protection services
Consumers can also often find protection through those banks and credit card
providers that offer identity theft services to prevent theft happening,
and to help customers when it does. Some of these services are free while
others are charged for. In the case of Capital One's free identity theft
service, a named adviser will help with resolution and recovery of money
which has been stolen. A similar service is run by Sainsbury's. The bank's
PrivacyGuard costs £6.99 per month but customers can trial the
service for 30 days for £1. It provides regular credit reports and credit
scores, ongoing monitoring and up to £10,000 reimbursement in the case
of ID theft.
[Metro 8Oct,2007]