Identity Theft Incidences on a Rise in the UK

A report issued by the Credit information group Experian indicated that the targets of identity fraud increased by two-thirds in the initial six months of 2007.

The study, issued to commemorate the National Identity Fraud Prevention Week, discloses that purloining of mail remains the most predominant ID theft, comprising 39% of scams discovered in the initial half of 2007.

Around 2,570 persons had got in touch with free Victims of Fraud facility in the first half of the year 2007, up by 68% during the same period in 2006. The ever-increasing participation of the underworld is mirrored in the progressively hi-tech methods of Id thefts. Right now, the most familiar technique is address scam, which entails stealing of e-mails and represents near about 39% of the incidents.

Simultaneously, instances of forwarding address scam, wherein scamsters forward the user's mail to an address where they can harvest it, witnessed the largest growth and accounted or 32% of the sum total, climbing up from 22% from the past half year.

Identity theft revolves around fraudsters using somebody else's ID, normally to request for credit or claim payments in their name, or to take advantage of their bankcards.

Presently, it is UK's swiftest proliferating offense and causing the annual economy losses of approx £1.7 Billion.

According to news published on October 10, 2007 by icWales, Tyron Hill, Fellowes and National Identity Fraud Prevention Week's Marketing Director, alleged that in spite of sustained efforts to expand knowledge about identity theft, it appears that even now too little has been accomplished. The investigation establishes that users are still endangering their identities.

Tyron further says that IDs, being one of the most treasured assets, should be protected constantly by exhibiting wise online activities and destroying all written documents before discarding them.

The residents of London remain the most susceptible targets of this offense. London's Kensington region forms the high-risk zone with its inhabitants five times more susceptible to become a target as compared to anywhere else in the UK. Clapham Junction region is yet another risky area for Londoners.

Related article: Identity Fraud Looming on Users of Facebook

» SPAMfighter News - 10/25/2007