15-10-07, UpMyStreet ©
According to credit reference agency Experian, the number of people affected by identity fraud has risen by 68% in the last year alone.
Identity fraud refers to crimes that involve the appropriation and misuse of an individual's personal data. Some areas of the UK, typically cities and commuter towns, are more at risk than others.
Where am I most at risk?
Experian has identified the top 25 hotspots for identity fraud in the UK. The capital is by far the most likely place you will become a victim - those living inside the M25 are three-and-a-half times more at risk than the UK average. Kensington, Clapham Junction and Victoria are the areas of London most at risk.
All of the top 25 ID fraud hotspots are in the South East, apart from Winchester in the South West. St Albans, Guildford, Slough and other London commuter towns are more than twice as likely to experience fraud than the UK average.
Certain neighbourhoods are more at risk than others. Check your neighbourhood profile to see if you reside in an area that fraudsters prefer.
Areas most at risk:
- City locations (top earning professionals)
- Suburban areas (high earning families)
- Areas with a high proportion of rental accommodation (graduates, young professionals, council tenants)
How can I avoid identity fraud?
Fraudsters gather personal information about an individual by stealing forms of identification, finding documents not properly shredded or securely disposed of, stealing or redirecting mail or using previous address details.
A credit report gives you information about your financial status. Check your report on a regular basis for unauthorised or suspicious activity. Look out for new accounts in your name that you didn't open, or credit searches by companies you haven't dealt with. You can view your credit report free of charge for 30 days with Experian.
› How to prevent identity fraud
Related articles
Top 25 identity fraud hotspots
1. London
2. St Albans
3. Guildford
4. Slough
5. Maidenhead
6. High Wycombe
7. Woking
8. Windsor
9. Winchester
10. Redhill
11. Camberley
12. Bracknell
13. Farnham
14. Reading
15. Tonbridge
16. Tunbridge Wells
17. Staines
18. Brentwood
19. Horsham
20. Haywards Heath
22. Orpington
23. Hatfield
24. Farnborough
25. Newbury
Useful links
- Credit check - view your credit report for free for 30 days
- Neighbourhood profile - see what Nuneaton is like
Your comments (4)
Alix (Bury), on 26/10/2007 at 17:09
Mick - shredders are very cheap these days. You can pick one up for less than £10. It's worth buying one to avoid being targetted!
Rey (Brent), on 23/10/2007 at 14:24
Hi Mick, I am not really sure about the security once it has been collected but know that as it is in a bin liner it is likely to remain intact for quite a while. My best advice is to shred all documents or letters containing personal information.
sheila (Manchester), on 19/10/2007 at 23:20
I am sick of students in what was once a nice quite residential area where our kids knew each other . Now I am living in an alien environment
Mick (Tandridge), on 17/10/2007 at 10:42
I live on an estate where it's pretty difficult for criminals to get access to my rubbish bins. i don't have a shredder and don't really rip up documents with my name and phone number etc on. Once my waste has been collected by the local council is it safe from these criminals?
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