Identity Theft Cover

G'Meister

Hi,

Is Insurance available against the cost of Identity Theft? If so, where's the best place to go and compare policies (if thats possible).
I've had my identity stolen a few times recently despite having changed all my details and passwords and I've been shredding everything for years, got a secure PC, etc, so I want to get some cover against it.

John_Pierpoint

What is insurance going to do for you that you cannot do for yourself?

I got a replacement for a card that had died through old age and when I 'phoned to confirm its arrival, I could not get the wretched woman off the 'phone for her efforts to sell me "identity fraud" insurance.

Now that you cannot report card fraud to the police, surely it is the banks problem. Letting them charge you for "insurance" is not likely to stiffen their resolve to do something about it.

The FBI reports that electronic fraud is now a bigger criminal enterprise than the drugs trade.

impy78

It is.

Google a company called fonesafe..they sell it.

LittleEarner_2

I'm really interested to know about this. I've found a company called CPP offering it for £6 a month, or another site offering it cheaper, but still from CPP for £5 a month (mods - please do remove the link if you deem necessary):
http://www.nowbuyonline.co.uk/id2001/cpp/howToBuy.html

But I have no idea if its worth it or not, and would love some advice on the matter. What I like about the CPP policy is that you get free access to Experian to check your credit report.

Browntoa

or go for protective registration for a one off £11.75

http://www.cifas.org.uk/default.asp?edit_id=565-85

f you have been the victim of a mugging or burglary and personal identification documents have been stolen, there is a risk they could be used by the thief to obtain credit or other products and services fraudulently in your name. For an administration fee of £11.75 (£10 plus £1.75 VAT) CIFAS offers a service, provided on their behalf by Equifax, to protect your name and address from being misused in this way.
You may contact Equifax, and request 'Protective Registration'. A CIFAS warning will then be placed against your address marked Category '0' which indicates the individual has been recorded on the CIFAS database at their own request for their protection. CIFAS members when undertaking a search against your address will see "CIFAS-DO NOT REJECT-REFER FOR VALIDATION", whatever name they search for. They will then contact Equifax to establish the reason for the entry.
As a result of the entry CIFAS members will verify further the identity of applicants, and in some cases request further proof of identification, and this may mean you personally experience delays while your credentials are fully checked out.

LittleEarner_2

But does that only count if you think you've been at risk? That would also make applying for accounts yourself generally more difficult - but that is the point I suppose.

Browntoa

no it's for anyone....

and much more MSE than paying someone else £6 a month for the same service

foggytown

LittleEarner wrote: »

I'm really interested to know about this. I've found a company called CPP offering it for £6 a month, or another site offering it cheaper, but still from CPP for £5 a month (mods - please do remove the link if you deem necessary):
http://www.nowbuyonline.co.uk/id2001/cpp/howToBuy.html

But I have no idea if its worth it or not, and would love some advice on the matter. What I like about the CPP policy is that you get free access to Experian to check your credit report.

Interesting to note that their website doesn't appear to allow you to view the policy T&C on-line. That always smacks of "shady" to me.

FoggyTown

free4440273

Bear in mind that nowadays you are automatically 'protected' from ID fraud when using many credit cards and also online banking. the proviso - sometimes - is that you must inform the bank/BS within a 'reasonable amount of time' if/when you notice suspicious activity in your account(s).

Iamthesmartestmanalive

its a waste of money
if you report identity fraud it will be dealt with the same way as anyone else, cover or not

The people in identity fraud departments have no dealings with the cover etc and things are dealt with anyway

Its a little panic driven banker for the banks

newkidontheblock

Just read this which made me look into getting cover in the first place -

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/ID-theft-woman-stung-for.3398402.jp

She obviously thinks the cover was worthwhile...

I had my credit card details copied once as all these items kept appearing on my bill that were not mine (and were all for places in thailand) but the credit card company sorted it out quite easily and they didnt make me pay for anything that wasn't mine. I didn't have any extra cover taken out either. I do wonder whether If I was a victim of identity theft on a big scale though whether the cover might be worth it?