Press Release

SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN MOBILE PHONE ACCOUNT FRAUD

ID fraud expert available for advice and commentary

London - 8th September 2009 - According to the UK fraud prevention service CIFAS, mobile phone account fraud - where a person's mobile phone account is overtaken by fraudsters- is one of the growth areas of identity theft. CIFAS has, today, reported a 74% rise in the first half of 2009 compared with the same period in 2008. After obtaining personal details by theft or deception, the fraudsters can add additional handsets to accounts and use them to run up large bills.

ID fraud expert, Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director, Equifax is available to talk about this issue and the threat of ID fraud generally. He can also provide advice to consumers on how to protect themselves from fraud.

"These new figures from CIFAS are particularly worrying because they seem to suggest that the fraudsters are moving on from the traditional areas of credit card and bank account take over to mobile phone accounts" said Neil Munroe. "And consumers need to be alert to this risk because getting into someone's mobile phone account isn't likely to be just about getting a phone fraudulently. It could give fraudsters just the sort of identity proof they need to then go on to commit over financial fraud in the victim's name.

"Unfortunately the reality is that if a fraudster manages to steal an individual's details it is likely to take quite some time to get matters resolved - once the fraud has been spotted. And in the meantime the victim could find their credit status is seriously impacted making it hard for them to get new credit deals such as mortgages or other loans.

"Our advice is the same advice we have been giving for a number of years. Take great care with personal information including bills and passwords. Make sure mobile phone bills you are expecting arrive and dispose of them by shredding. Don't just throw them away - the information is as valuable as that on credit card or bank statements. And don't store all your personal information on your mobile phone - fraudsters can work out the 'secret' names people give this information and can soon be hacking into accounts for their own gain!"

Many mobile phone operators will send new phones anywhere requested by a customer and account holders can often be unaware their identity has been abused until they notice increases in direct debits.

ENDS

For an interview with Neil Munroe on this subject please contact him direct on 07710 844518 Or call the Equifax Press Office: Wendy Harrison/Cecile Stearn/Elinor Puzey - 020 8977 9132 wendy@harrisonsadler.com