What would you do if your credit cards were stolen? Or if goods that you did not purchase were charged to your credit accounts? Or if unauthorised credit accounts were opened in your name?

These are typical examples of identity fraud, where criminals use the identities of others in order to take over their credit accounts or to open new accounts in their names.

Most of us have never experienced identity fraud and many of us may be unconcerned and believe we’re not affected by it. But we are.

Identity fraud is the UK’s fastest growing crime. According to the Cabinet Office, identity fraud costs the UK at least £1.3 billion every year and is one of the more difficult frauds to combat. Although lenders are employing more sophisticated methods to spot fraudsters, people who are targeted often take up to 14 months to realise they are victims of identity fraud.

When criminals buy goods and services on credit using false information, we all pay through higher prices and more expensive credit terms, even if our own accounts are untouched. And when someone is victimised by a particularly successful scam, criminals are more likely to continue cheating others using similar fraudulent operations.

Make sure you look for the signs, and know who to turn to. Ensure that when you are disposing of your unwanted and confidential documents it is done in a safe, secure manner and environment. Speak to one of the professionals at Ezy-Way Security Shredding for more information on how to keep your identity safe.

Source: Times Online.co.uk

Tags: confidential, credit cards, destruction, disposal, documents, identity fraud, safe, scams, secure

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 1st, 2009 at 11:00 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.