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National Identity Fraud Prevention Week.
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James
Posts: 2,059 Forumite
This week (16-23 Oct) is National Identity Fraud Prevention Week.
The BBC say 'Bins are an ID theft goldmine'
Here are some quotes from the article:
"Throwing away your personal details is as good as advertising them in the local paper. We are making it far too easy for the identity thieves," he added.
Comment: You may shred everything in sundry, but are other organisations and companies who hold the very same information being as careful as you?
"Documents containing bank account numbers and sort codes had been thrown away by 46% of those whose rubbish was investigated.
And 73% had thrown out paper showing their exact signature on a credit or debit card.
Solution: Render personal information and documentation worthless to crooks.
"Identity fraud is costing the UK billions of pounds a year, and is one of Britain's fastest growing crimes," said Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley and chair of the all party group on identity fraud. "Yet people are still not doing enough to protect themselves.
You can protect yourself and here is how:
Identity Theft - Self Help
The above is a Proactive rather than Reactive system.
It may even provided you with FREE ID theft attempt warnings.
It saves you paying 3 x £2 for credit reports or costly ID Theft Insurance.
It allows for you changing address - you remain protected.
It's unique in so much as it finges theives.
All I would ask is that anyone who opts for this method of ID theft protection to make a small voluntary donation to Cancer Researche, St. Catherines Hospice SCARBOROUGH or the charity of your choice.
The BBC say 'Bins are an ID theft goldmine'
Here are some quotes from the article:
"Throwing away your personal details is as good as advertising them in the local paper. We are making it far too easy for the identity thieves," he added.
Comment: You may shred everything in sundry, but are other organisations and companies who hold the very same information being as careful as you?
"Documents containing bank account numbers and sort codes had been thrown away by 46% of those whose rubbish was investigated.
And 73% had thrown out paper showing their exact signature on a credit or debit card.
Solution: Render personal information and documentation worthless to crooks.
"Identity fraud is costing the UK billions of pounds a year, and is one of Britain's fastest growing crimes," said Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley and chair of the all party group on identity fraud. "Yet people are still not doing enough to protect themselves.
You can protect yourself and here is how:
Identity Theft - Self Help
The above is a Proactive rather than Reactive system.
It may even provided you with FREE ID theft attempt warnings.
It saves you paying 3 x £2 for credit reports or costly ID Theft Insurance.
It allows for you changing address - you remain protected.
It's unique in so much as it finges theives.
All I would ask is that anyone who opts for this method of ID theft protection to make a small voluntary donation to Cancer Researche, St. Catherines Hospice SCARBOROUGH or the charity of your choice.
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Comments
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I'm very concerned about identity theft issues, I think there is something very odd going on..some of the reports are suggesting that we need to keep even our names and adresses safe? Pardon? A quick wander through the phone book brings up all the names and addresses I could ever need so what is the problem?
Also there was a report on BBC about sort codes and bank details, so I assume no one has ever written a cheque then as of course they have the sort code, bank account *and* a copy of your signature on them and are used in all sorts of shops, for purchases by post, given to work colleagues etc.
I believe there is a real issue for security and will always shred my bank statements and credit card receipts etc, but whilst there is this scaremongering about things that can be found from readily available sources I think people will ignore the real risks.
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Banks and Building Societies put Customers' at Risk of Identity Theft.
MoneySaving tip- invest in using your PRINT to protect yourself. Take the power from the banks and crooks.
Fraudsters £200,000 shopping spree:
So easy to have been prevented.0 -
James wrote:Banks and Building Societies put Customers' at Risk of Identity Theft.
MoneySaving tip- invest in using your PRINT to protect yourself. Take the power from the banks and crooks.
Fraudsters £200,000 shopping spree:
So easy to have been prevented.
What is your PRINT? Sorry if this is a dumb question.
I am very cautious about throwing mail away and for some time have been removing my name and address, bar codes and anything that could possibly identify me. Our old mail is eaten by the worms in our wormery. They seem to like it as it disappears quickly.0 -
Jake'sGran wrote:What is your PRINT? Sorry if this is a dumb question.
No such thing as a dumb question.
Your Print is just what it says it is in this case your 'Thumbprint'
You use your Thumb to produce a print on application forms or other documentation. To do this you lightly dip your Thumb into a pad containing a special ink. You then gently press your thumb adjacent to your signature on the application form. A perfect print is produced and the ink leaves no mess on your thumb.
Using the system described forces CROOKs to leave their print if they wish to use your personal information. It's just like saying to burglars, 'Sure break into my house, but you can't wear gloves and you'll be required to leave your print. You have the power to force them to do this.
Hope this explains things!0 -
James. thank you for the explanation. I was really surprised to read that there was such a system. From what you say I would have to pay for this and I have been trying to think of when I would use it. I only occasionally send applications in the post.0
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Jake'sGran wrote:James. thank you for the explanation. I was really surprised to read that there was such a system. From what you say I would have to pay for this and I have been trying to think of when I would use it. I only occasionally send applications in the post.
You don't have to use it unless You want to open a new bank account, apply for a credit card, get a loan etc.
BUT
Crooks don't have a choice! If they want to use your personal information (ID Theft) for any of the above reasons then they MUST SUPPLY THEIR PRINT. This is the deterrent value.
If a crook is stupid enough to submit their print, and you get a knock for a debt you know nothing about, then the crooks print is evidence that you didn't make that application The application with the perpetrators print can be given to the police.
If per chance someone submits an application without a print, then this should be treated as fraudulent, and the application denied.
Even applying on-line you are protected. You maybe granted instant credit, BUT the provider will read your instruction and send you a paper application to sign AND print. No print no credit no theft.
Further reading:
Effectiveness of Printing
Thief Taking
Car Hire Companies use system to deter the use of stolen or forged licences, passports, chip and pin cards etc
You can do the exact same to protect your ID.0 -
Heads-up
Wednesday 25 Oct 2006. BBC1 TV - 8pm-9pm
Identity Fraud: They Stole My Life
If anyone catches this programme, consider the system described in Thread and please post your comments.
The above programme was pulled at the eleventh hour for legal reasons.0
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