Identity Fraud Up – Credit Card Users Warned
CreditExpert warns that there has been a significant rise in the number of people making fraudulent applications for credit cards, loans, automotive finance and mortgages using other people’s identities since the beginning of 2009. Credit card users have been warned that incidences of identity fraud increased by 12% this past year.
During the first three months of the year there were 11.91 cases of fraud per 10,000 applications, but this has risen to 13.37 cases by Q3.
Darryl Bowman from CreditExpert stated, “As we get wiser to protecting ourselves from fraud, it’s clear that criminals are working even harder to steal our personal details so they can apply for credit.” He described the rise in cases of identity fraud as “very worrying.” He added, “Missing post, unexpected phone calls and strange emails are signs we look out for and know suggest potentially fraudulent activity.”
Richard Hurley, CIFAS communications manager, suggested recently that there is not much point in obtaining the best credit card deals unless consumers are able to keep their banking information secure.