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Identity Fraud - The Facts
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Identity Fraud - The Facts!
- 97% of household waste contained at least one or more items which could assist fraudsters in stealing an identity (Fellowes Survey 2006)
- A quarter of the UK population has been or believe they know somebody who has been a victim of identity fraud and over two thirds are concerned that they may be at risk, according to a recent survey.
- According to a recent Which? report a friend, ex-partner or old flatmate is just as likely to steal an identity as is a stranger. Over a quarter of victims of identity fraud say that they knew the person who perpetrated the fraud.
- Personal information such as your date of birth, address, mother’s maiden name and passwords are now as valuable as money. This is enough information for a fraudster to open bank accounts, apply for credit cards, loans and much more.
- People fear identity fraud more than burglary, mugging or pickpocketing (Fellowes Populus Poll 2005)
- It takes 467 days to discover that you are a victim of identity fraud according to Experian
- The last official estimate puts the cost of identity fraud at £1.7 billion, according to figures published by the Home Office in February 2006
- 79% of businesses sampled had not made any effort to destroy sensitive material that was thrown away or prepared for recycling.
- Only 4% had successfully destroyed all sensitive information.
- 30% of businesses threw away information that would be useful to competitors.
- 40% of businesses threw away sensitive client information including home addresses, phone numbers and photocopies of passports.
- 30% of businesses threw away personal information relating to employees including home contact details.