Cases of identity fraud up two-thirds

Credit information company, Experian, revealed that last year, over 6,000 victims of identity fraud asked Experian’s fraud team for help, compared with just 3,500 the previous year - this represents an increase of 66%.

In its Victims of Fraud Dossier, Experian investigated over 10,000 identity fraud cases by postcode area, victim type and fraud technique.

The results have discovered that the nation’s identity fraud capital is London which reported the highest proportion of residents at risk. Those in the capital are nearly twice as likely to fall victim to identity fraud as people living elsewhere in the country.

Kensington is the capital’s identity fraud hotspot, with its residents three-and-a-half times more likely to fall victim compared to the UK average.

Furthermore, the study established the typical identity fraud victim is aged between 26 and 45, a homeowner and among the highest income earners in the country.

Those who have an income of over £50,000 are three times more likely to be targeted by identity thieves than the average UK citizen.

Experian’s analysis revealed that another group who are targeted are tenants - either renting privately or from local authorities. These groups of people in rented accommodation are easy targets for identity thieves as some share mail boxes and tend to move house more frequently than homeowners.

Commenting on identity fraud, Helen Lord of Experian, says the rate of identity fraud growth is worrying. Although some people are statistically more likely than others to become a victim, we should all be concerned. We are all potential victims.

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