While 99 per cent of adults in the UK are aware of the problem that identity theft poses, just 10% know what to do if they suspect their identity has been stolen, it has been revealed.
A survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Capital One found that despite overwhelming awareness of the crime and the fact that 41 per cent of UK adults are afraid they will be afflicted, very few people are actually prepared for such an eventuality.
Indeed, 16 million people were found to have made no attempt to prevent the theft of their identity.
What’s more, millions actually give thieves a helping hand – 2.5 million throw documents such as bank statements away intact, five million leave sensitive data lying around “on the kitchen table” and 32.5 million store the information insecurely.
According to professor Martin Gill, criminologist from Perpetuity – a research consultancy associated with the University of Leicester – young people are most at fault.
“Although these figures encouragingly show an almost universal awareness about ID theft, and a high level of concern, it is worrying that people are still being blase about storage and disposal of confidential personal documents,” he commented.
“Young people particularly seem to be showing high levels of careless behaviour with more than half (55 per cent) of 18 to 24 year olds taking no action to protect themselves against the risk of ID theft.
“Despite the high awareness of identity theft the research also highlights a real need for increased knowledge about how to identify and resolve the problems that result from fraudulent use of someone?s identity.”
Sanjiv Yajnik, principal managing director of Capital One, has suggested that UK residents take care to ensure their mail is redirected when moving house and the safeguarding of Pin and password details at all times as the best ways to avoid identity theft.
More information
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Here’s a good guide on how to protect yourself from identity theft from DirectGov (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/RightsAndResponsibilities/DG_10031451)
Read what the Home Office advises identity theft vicims (http://www.identity-theft.org.uk/protect-yourself.htm) and its Identity Theft Kit (http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/theft1.htm)