Putney & Wandsworth Town in UK Top Ten

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at risk of identity fraud

A recent survey released by credit specialist Experian has confirmed that we live in one of the top ten areas at high risk of identity fraud.

According to the Victims of Fraud Dossier, published by Experian, the figures have been able to identify UK hotspots and those groups most targeted by fraudsters, using data analysis from more than 10,000 identity fraud cases. The figures confirm that identity theft has risen by 66% - Experian had dealt with more than 6,000 victims sought help from the credit reference company victims of fraud team during 2007, compared to just over 3,500 in 2006.

Kensington is the Capital’s identity fraud hotspot, with an average risk score of 352.31, residents – on average – three-and-a-half times as likely to fall victim compared with the UK average. Residents of Richmond-upon-Thames (330.51), Putney (320.07), Wimbledon (306.95) and the Kings Road area of Chelsea (302.91) are also amongst those at highest risk – being over three-times more likely to fall victim.

The analysis also found victims aged 26 to 45, who were homeowners earning more that £50,000 a year were at highest risk. Likewise, those either at director level or running their own businesses were the most at-risk consumer type, being almost three times more likely to fall victim, while highly successful and well-paid directors were two-and-a-half times more likely to become a target.

Top 10 Most at Risk Towns (At Risk Rate)	Top 15 Most At Risk London Post Code (At Risk Rate)
Kensington (352.31) Richmond - London ( 330.51) Putney - (320.07) Wimbledon (306.95) Chelsea - Kings Road (302.91) Chiswick - (275.67) Kingston upon Thames - (275.34) Hammersmith - King Street (275.30) Wandsworth - Clapham Junction - (256.26) St Albans - (252.21)	SW17 6 College Gardens,Wandsworth (482.89) E14 5 Chancellor Passage,Canary Wharf (474.61) E14 2 Clove Crescent, Tower Hamlets (472.15) SW13 8 Riverview Gardens, Barnes (448.49) SW19 7 Wimbledon, (445.17) SW11 6 Grandison Road, Battersea (444.60) SW11 1 Cabul Road, Battersea (442.45) EC2Y 8 Barbican (429.65) NW 3 5 South Hampstead (429.21) SW15 2 West Hill,Putney (428.38)

Helen Lord, Experian director of fraud and compliance, said the rate of identity fraud growth was worrying and coincided with the increasing involvement of organised criminals.

"Although some people are statistically more likely than others to become a victim, we should all be concerned," she added. "We are all potential victims."

Here are the Metropolitan  Police's tips for avoiding identity fraud. Be careful with your personal information. If you receive a telephone call from a credit card company, bank or other retail company asking to confirm certain details about yourself decline them and ask to call them back preferably through a central switchboard. Never give out personal details or passwords. When destroying personal correspondence such as bank and credit card statements consider a shredder or even burning them with garden refuse. If you cannot do either then tear the papers up into very small pieces and place in the refuse bin with other waste products, or compost them with your green waste. If you move address remember to inform all of the companies that send personal information to you in the post. Always consider re-directing your post with Royal Mail. If you fail to do this people moving in might have free access to your personal details and misappropriate them. Always use an anti virus programme and firewall on your computer. Beware of unsolicited emails. Do not respond to emails that have apparently originated from your bank or other authority/company. Remember that a bank will not ask for your details via unsolicited emails. Do not post personal details on the internet which could collectively be used to clone your identity. Instruct your bank not to accept any payments abroad unless previously authorised.

 

May 30, 2008