Identity fraud facts

• A staggering 65,043 people were victims of identity fraud in 2007, according to CIFAS, the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service.
• Home Office figures show fraudsters obtained over 10,000 false passports in 2007, using stolen identities.
• Fraudulent use of credit and debit cards amounted to £535 million in 2007 (APACS).
• Card-not-present fraud is now the largest type of card fraud in the UK and accounts for nearly 50% of all card fraud losses, reaching £212.6m in 2006 (APACS).

The latest research figures from Lloyds TSB in partnership with PrivacyGuard®, conducted in 2008, show that:

• Nearly two thirds (61%) of adults are more concerned about identity fraud than they were six months ago.
• 37% of UK adults have either been victims of identity fraud themselves or know someone who has.
• Nearly one in five people have stopped using social networking sites over concerns for the security of their personal details.
• 41% of adults believe that they have done all they can to prevent identity theft. With just 9% regularly checking their credit reports.

But thanks to increasing awareness, and a better understanding of how criminals operate, there are many ways to spot it early, prevent it, and deal with it effectively.