CORRIE DRAMA PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON ID FRAUD
Equifax reveals the real life anguish behind ID theft
London 21th August 2007 – This week, troublemaker Paul Duckworth prepares to steal grandfather, Jack Duckworth’s identity in ITV’s Coronation Street. Armed with household bills and the deeds to his grandparents’ house, Paul takes out a £20,000 loan in Jack’s name. Equifax, the instant online credit information provider warns that such a story line may not be as far fetched as people may think. According to a recent survey undertaken by Equifax 1 in 4 victims actually knew the person who stole their identity.
“Paul Duckworth is using Jack’s ID to raise the capital to invest in Leanne’s restaurant, which makes for a very dramatic storyline,” explains Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director for Equifax. “However, ID theft brings misery to many people and consumers need to realise the severity of this crime”.
ID Fraud is Britain’s fastest growing crime, with application fraud, like the poor unsuspecting Jack Duckworth is about to experience, up by 19% in 2007* . There is no typical victim of ID fraud, as fraudsters use an array of unscrupulous tactics to obtain people’s personal information. It is therefore vital that consumers protect themselves from this growing crime.
Munroe concludes, “Paul shows how easy it is to find enough personal information to steal someone’s identity and consumers should take note. In addition, ID fraud can take hours of phone calls to banks and lenders in order to get details corrected. With this in mind Equifax is keen to help consumers understand the risks and heartache of ID fraud in order to ensure they don’t end up in the same position as Jack.”
Top Tips for Victims of Fraud If you are worried that someone has had access to your personal details or that you have been a victim of ID Fraud consider taking the following steps:
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* CIFAS figures comparing first half of 2007 with same period in 2007
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Notes to Editors
For further press information please contact: Claire Foster, Kate Clements or Wendy Harrison at HSL on 020 8977 9132 / Fax: 020 8977 5200 or Email claire@harrisonsadler.com
About Equifax
Equifax Inc. is a global leader in information technology that enables and secures global commerce with consumers and businesses. We are one of the largest sources of consumer and commercial data. Utilizing our databases, advanced analytics and proprietary enabling technology, we provide real-time answers for our customers. This innovative ability to transform information into intelligence is valued by customers across a wide range of industries and markets. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equifax employs approximately 4,600 people in 13 countries throughout North America, Latin America and Europe. Equifax was founded 107 years ago, and today is a member of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500® Index. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX. .
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