Press Release

ID FRAUD EXPERT AVAILABLE FOR COMMENTARY ON THE HUMAN COST OF FRAUD – WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES?

London 6th August 2010 – The University of Portsmouth, along with chartered accountants and business advisers MacIntyre Hudson LLP, have released research* into the impact and affect fraud has on its victims. The anger, embarrassment and upset such a crime can cause is devastating, as the research shows through a number of interviews with fraud victims. Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director, Equifax is available to provide independent expert commentary on fraud issues affecting individuals and businesses if you are planning a feature.

"Becoming a victim of fraud can have both a financial and emotional affect on victims which can take a long time for them to recover from. It can only take three pieces of information for a fraudster to be able to steal someone's identity and open accounts in their name so that they can rack up huge debts. Not only does this leave the victim footing the bill but also having to come to terms with the knock on effects such a crime can have on their life. What everyone needs to remember is the fact that this crime can happen to anyone", confirmed Neil Munroe.

"In the fight against fraud, people need to take proactive steps to protect themselves as it can take individuals some time before they even realise they have become a victim of fraud. Monitoring their credit information can play a crucial role in alerting individuals to fraudulent activity. This along with properly disposing of financial and other personal documents and taking extra care when doing online transactions and when using ATMs, are just some of the sensible precautions individuals can take that can make a difference."

EQUIFAX TIPS TO PROTECT AGAINST ID FRAUD

  • Apply for a copy of your credit file to look out for any unauthorised activity
  • Shred statements bills and direct mail which contains personal information
  • Redirect mail if you move
  • Keep your PIN secure
  • Always check bank statements and credit card statements carefully against receipts
  • Be careful of what you carry around in your handbag or wallet. Credit Card receipts, payslips, driving licence, bank statement, utility bill…these all reveal a lot of information about you and a combination of these can be a fraudsters dream
  • When using online banking, ensure people can't view your details and log out of the site, rather than just closing the window
  • No matter how much you trust your friends, work colleagues, do not give out your PIN number under any circumstances
  • Do not use the same PIN number for all of your cards and never write your PIN number down
  • Use the privacy settings on social networking sites
  • If you are disposing of an old computer, make sure you destroy information on the hard drive
  • Make sure you have the latest virus protection that ideally updates hourly and you have a Firewall

END

*Research University of Portsmouth and chartered accountants and business advisers MacIntyre Hudson LLP August 2010 http://www.port.ac.uk/aboutus/newsandevents/frontpagenews/title,116467,en.html

For further press information please contact Louise Fowler, Tiffany Collins, , Cecile Stearn or Wendy Harrison at HSL on 020 8977 9132 / Fax: 020 8977 5200 or Email: louise@harrisonsadler.com

Inform > Enrich > Empower