ID fraudsters targeting young single renters
Young, single Brits on low incomes and living in rented homes are the "biggest target for ID fraudsters".
Research out today from credit reference agency CreditExpert discovered the personal details of those on lower incomes were more at risk than the wealthy.
The top three groups most likely to become victims of identity fraud lived in rented homes in and around cities, of which, those most at risk were young professionals renting in London and Glasgow.
According to the analysis, those groups were more than twice as likely to become victims of identity fraud, with a 'risk score' of 223, compared to the national average of 100.
Darryl Bowman, director of CreditExpert, said: "Criminals are switching their focus from the wealthy to people whose details they can get hold of more easily.
"Because of this, each one of us needs to be aware of the dangers of ID fraud and take steps to protect our identity and stop thieves from getting access to our personal information.
"One thing you can do is regularly check your credit report so you can spot unfamiliar activity, such as a fraudulent loan application in your name."
Also topping the list of high-risk groups were young single people and home sharers working in service industries and living in flats rented from the council or housing associations, graduates renting in good areas, and wealthy company directors and business owners at the "pinnacle of their success".
CreditExpert warned people who rent or have shared hallways were the easiest targets for fraudsters, with those who rent made vulnerable if they do not ensure all of their mail is redirected from their previous address.
Jonathon Clark, a student living in Nottingham, had his ID stolen last year, with the fraudsters taking £650 out of his account to spend on iTunes. He was told by his bank that this type of fraud was quite common, as it was almost impossible to trace.
Mr Clark said: "I felt cheated that they had taken that amount of money from me for something so frivolous.
"I didn't realise how your own hard-earned cash can be taken by someone so easily."
London remains the identity fraud capital, with Kensington continuing to top the list as the capitals worst identity fraud hotspot.
CreditExpert offers the following advice to help prevent identity fraud:
1. Regularly monitor your credit report
Using an online service to allows you to check your report for unauthorised or suspicious activity, such as new accounts in your name that you didn't open or credit searches by companies you haven't dealt with.
2. Watch out for your mail
Fraudsters often obtain documents by stealing or redirecting mail - so keep an eye out for post that you're expecting and report missing items quickly. Look for your credit card bills arriving when you expect them to: if your account has been taken over then the bill will probably stop coming as the fraudster will have changed your address on the account.
3. Destroy documents showing your personal details before throwing them away
Be careful about discarding anything with your name, address or other details on it. The documents can be used to open accounts in your name. Use a shredder to destroy bank statements, utility bills, application forms, cheque book stubs and card receipts.
4. Keep your information up to date
Make sure your bank and organisations such as your mobile phone provider are informed of any changes of address. This prevents any document that includes your vital details falling in to the wrong hands. When anyone fraudulently applies for an account under your name and previous address, this will be automatically flagged if that organisation is using electronic authentication. You should also register to vote at your new address as soon as possible.
5. Forward your mail if you move house
If you move home, have your mail forwarded to your new address for at least six months.
6. Be careful who you give your information to
Fraudsters will try to get you to give them your identity. On the internet, or in your email look out for phishing attacks where a fraudster will try to get you to disclose your personal details or logon and password information for your online banking. Also, beware of phone calls, purporting to come from your bank or another trusted organisation, asking you for personal or security information.
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