Preventing Identity Theft

There are many ways in which personal information can fall into the hands of fraudsters. There have been cases where mail addressed to the deceased has been intercepted and stolen. The personal details of someone who has died can then be used to make fraudulent loan or credit applications, resulting in huge debts being amassed in their name.

The analysis of fraud trends during 2009 by CIFAS - The UK's Fraud Prevention Service - reveals a 31% escalation in the numbers of victims of fraud, representing an increase of over 25,000 cases.

Over 85,000 cases of impersonation and 24,000 cases where accounts were fraudulently accessed were recorded in 2009 and underlines the very real impact of fraud. Fraud victims can be preyed upon by organised criminals, faceless fraudsters and sometimes even by those close to them.

If you are worried that a fraud may already have been committed in the name of a deceased relative or friend, please go to www.cifas.org.uk for further information. Alternatively please click here for the official CIFAS identity fraud leaflet.