ID theft research from MyCallcredit

Credit report service MyCallcredit has carried out extensive research into ID theft including people's attitudes, towns and cities most at risk and whether people know how to protect themselves.

See below for the main findings and contact Jo Gill on 0113 380 1644 for interviews, facts, figures and regional results.

• 10m Britons are leaving themselves at risk of ID fraud by failing to cancel unwanted credit facilities.
• For every person who files for protective registration with the UK's fraud prevention service there are, on average, nine who have already been a victim of ID fraud - postcode analysis available.
• More than seven out of ten Britons are concerned their ID may be stolen but less than two in ten know how to protect themselves.
• Seven out of ten people in the UK think they would know in a matter of weeks if their ID had been stolen. The reality is it can take months for victims to realise.
• Residents of West Central London are most likely to have their ID stolen. Those living in Shetland are least likely to have their ID stolen.
• Government figures show ID fraud costs the UK £1.3bn a year.
• The lost Treasury revenue of £100m would pay the salaries of an extra 2600 police officers (1)
• ID fraud is one of the fastest growing types of fraud in the UK and has grown by 600 per cent in the last five years. (1)

How to protect yourself from ID fraud

• Shred any personal documents before disposing of them.
• Be vigilant, log on to www.mycallcredit.com and check your credit file.
• Write to lenders who are listing a credit facility you don't want and cancel it.
• When you cut up a card or stop using it inform the lender.

Editors Notes

1. Source the UK's fraud prevention service CIFAS

Lenders can access the overindebtedness information through Geodebt, one of Callcredit's business to business products.