539 days to discover ID theft
It takes on average 539 days for a victim of identity fraud to find out they have fallen prey to criminals.
Data from UK fraud prevention service CIFAS released for National Identity Fraud Prevention Week show 59,000 victims of impersonation were revealed in the first nine months of 2009.
So far this year cases of people's bank and credit card accounts is up 23 per cent - and up 238 per cent over the last two years.
Mobile phone account takeovers have doubled.
CIFAS chief executive Peter Hurst notes: "Fraud is an insidious crime. Not only does it affect consumers and businesses financially, but its impact in terms of reputation, trust and time are unquantifiable."
Data from CIFAS show tow-thirds of ID fraud victims are men and the most at risk age group at the 46 to 60-years olds, followed by the 36 to 45-years olds - those with most to lose.
However, Sandra Peaston, CIFAS research manager, explained everybody is a potential victim.
"While there is a preference for those whom the fraudster deems to be most 'credit worthy', the biggest factor in the choice of victims is likely to be the fraudster's ability to perpetrate the fraud," she said.
"If they don't know enough about you, or they are not able to put the mechanisms in place to facilitate the fraud, then they aren't going to be able to impersonate you successfully."
Fraud carried out by giving the correct address of the victim is also becoming more common - with the criminal able to intercept mail often due to shared mailboxes or mail redirects.
"What can be said about identity fraudsters, however, is that they will range from the amusingly inept, to the deeply sophisticated with a large fraud toolbox at their disposal," Ms Peaston said.
"They can gather your personal details in a number of different ways from the very low tech (rifling through your rubbish) to the very high tech (computer and phone hacks). They could even use a personal route and already know you!"
She went on to explained if you have been targeted by a clever criminal, you are probably not at fault but there are step to take to protect yourself.
"The identity thief may be anonymous - but they are real, and they are out there: don't make yourself a target!"
Lloyds TSB has issued the following tips for people to reduce their exposure to identity fraud.
- Keep credit and debit cards in sight at all times and watch anyone holding them for swiping
- Be careful with phone numbers, birthday, addresses and other personal information when using social networking sites like Facebook.
- Keep as little paperwork with your bank details as possible and shred before you throw away.
- Check all bank and credit card statements and your credit report regularly for unusual transactions.
- Make sure that nobody sees your PIN.
- Don't save passwords or personal details online.
- Use different PINs and passwords for different accounts.
- Always be careful when companies contact you unexpectedly to ask for personal information.
- Protect your post. Don't leave any lying around, and make sure the Royal Mail is informed immediately of any changes of address to redirect post.
- Tags:
- credit cards ,
- identity fraud ,
- news
Comments
Newsletter sign up