Identity Theft in the Internet Era: Safe-guarding Against Credit Fraud

Credit fraud has always existed to some degree, butwebsites that publish electoral roll details such as It
with the advent of the internet, there has been anreally is worth thinking about removing your personal
unprecedented level of awareness and consumerdetails from such sites, or at least weighing up the risks
concern about falling victim to identity theft. Almostand the benefits of subscribing to social networking
every day ‘phishing’ emails – which pretendsites, in particular to ration critical information such as
to come from banks - try to extract passwords andplace of birth. Any identity fraud criminal, based
personal details from consumers.anywhere in the World, can lawfully obtain a birth
Most people know that an unprotected PC can becertificate from a government website, armed with
disabled by viruses and Trojans within hours and installyour place of birth.
antivirus software to protect it, but not everyoneMany consumers don’t realise that identity theft is
remembers to keep the antivirus software up to date.routinely used by drug smugglers, people traffickers,
Tightening up on internet security is absolutely essentialprostitution racketeers and in other forms of serious
as a first defence to identity theft attempts. As ancrime. Most believe that the main issue arising from
alarm system, it’s equally sensible to use a creditidentity theft is credit fraud, where credit is obtained by
report monitoring service, to ensure that a consumerimpersonation. Many loans and credit cards can be
can quickly identify any unexpected credit check beingobtained without ever having a face-to-face meeting
made against them, or any new account being openedwith the service provider. And credit fraud is where
without their knowledge. This is often the first sign thatconsumers appear to have the greatest fear of falling
identity theft has been committed. What is often notvictim to identity theft.
understood is that effective internet security andOnce upon a time, credit reports were only sought by
annual credit report monitoring is available completelythose who were declined credit, and were delivered
free to UK consumers.slowly by mail. Nowadays, anyone can request a
We’re in an era where fear of falling victim topersonal credit check and this can be obtained more
identity fraud is at an all time high but by educatingsecurely and instantly online. By obtaining an annual
consumers and businesses, the risks can be muchcredit report which now can be obtained entirely for
reduced, and the ways of protecting ourselves can allfree and, importantly, without having to disclose your
be had for free.card details, it is easy to spot any suspicious activities
To identify potential victims of identity theft, criminalsor irregularities.
are often reported to search through rubbish bins or toAn annual credit report will quickly reveal signs of
abuse the public availability of electoral roll registersattempted and successful credit fraud. It will show
and analysing them for names and addresses ofsearches being made in relation to applications for
those identities they would like to steal.credit in your name, changes of address and any new
In reality criminals don’t need to get their hands dirtyaccounts opened. One free annual credit report
or even leave their homes to commit identity theft.service also offers free specialised identity theft
They only have to look on social networking websitesprevention and assistance services to help you stay
such as Friends Reunited and track down thesafe, alongside, providing independent and expert
addresses of potential identity theft victims usingadvice.