Identity theft

It is real and very stressful. Be on your guard if you move house or live in a 'house of multiple occupation', or if you are a landlord. If you move write to all the banks etc. and keep records of all the replies to confirm this. Be aware that credit Cos are meant to check if someone is on the electoral roll, if they don't and you were not on the roll the Co likely takes the hit.

Simple stuff, really. I'm not convinced dumpster-diving is as widespread as suggested. I would still shred things, but bear in mind that even credit card statements do not contain the expiry date (or the code on the reverse side).

Check this post from a while back ... one off credit scores available for a couple of quid. Hope link works, it's a bit long!

x-no-archive: yes

Experian- afaik you can write with a set 2 payment, asking for current record. there may be others doing the same thing.

Thanks Bob and Bedders. I'll have a look!

At 15:15:53 on 18/10/2006, Philippe Gautier delighted uk.finance by announcing:

You can order it online now. If you want it immediately, it costs more but you allegedly get more readable information. Otherwise, pay the £2 by card and get it through the post. When I tried a couple of years ago the card never even got charged.

I must say that this attitude of the Bansk/TV etc really annoys me.

I really can't see why this should be my responsibility. There is nothing that someone can get from sorting through my rubbish, that they can't get another way (albeit with a bit more effort) so if my financial position is compromised by this, then the Banks systems to stop it aren't good enough.

Because it's a one in a million thing

tim

I noticed from a poster in the local Lloyds Bank today that this is "National ID Theft Awareness Week", which would explain the heavy media focus at the moment

I used to be irritated by the advert for some card or other which featured an "ID thief" saying that from the contents of your bin he could extract 10s of 1000s of pounds from your accounts in such a way that you would not be able to notice until he had been at it for over a year!!!! Yeah Right!

In some interview/discussion on the radio this week people were suggesting that the police are not interested if you report that your ID has been stolen because "you" are not the victim, the bank is.

In that case the "special feature" of Capital One - ID reclaiming/repair would actually be more of a "duty" surely? If my ladder is not safe and it falls through your window then I would be responsible for the window because I did not take enough care with the ladder. If the bank opens an account for someone but uses my details instead then it is their job to sort out the mess.

Strangely enough, I think Experian were one of the sponsors of this weeks news stories. Looks like their advertising strategy is working.

In the meantime, I noticed that CallCredit is offering a trial of one month free "protection from ID theft" (whatever that is) but it includes free credit report...

At 09:39:21 on 19/10/2006, Philippe Gautier delighted uk.finance by announcing:

How many institutions actually use CallCredit? Bear in mind that they'll only ever have the information they're given by their members; AFAIK the CRAs don't share their information.

It's relatively cheap and easy to protect yourself from ID theft, while holding banks and lenders responsible of any breaches that allows crooks to take out loans, acquire credit cards or open bank accounts in your name.

Help the Police help you, here's how:

See The Simple Way to Foil Identity Theft:

tim

Not only that, but it's a hassle, and makes your fingers inky. Personally, I'd rather take the chance of having my identity stolen than walk around with inky fingers. I've been using credit cards extensively for over 20 years, and only had one fraudulent transaction in all that time (and that was just a genuine mistake by a retailer which was quickly put right), so I'm guessing that the risk isn't too great.

Adam

The system described is designed to prevent someone from using your personal information to open bank accounts, obtain credit, or credit cards in your name. However you can, if YOU wish use it with your plastic - I do. It's easier to visually check a print than a signature. The print can't be stolen, forged, cloned etc PLUS you are submitting it in front of another individual.

As for 'Inky Fingers' an inkless pad, is used which leaves absolutely no residue on the thumb or fingers. But it does produce a perfect print on paper.

This retailer is using the system to protect her business, why not use it to protect your good name, while assisting any victim of card OR cheque fraud.

Who is the 'you' here. The shop or the cardholder?

tim

If it were a readily acceptable system, do you think I might have seen it in use by now?

The only person it has to be acceptable to is the participant (The person who uses the system). Banks, Card Companies, Crooks - don't have a say.

BBC1 TV, Wed 25th Oct. 8pm-9pm - Identity Fraud - They Stole My Life.

You may like to watch this, consider the information posted on this form and then make an informed conclusion.

As for Prints being used to prevent fraud - US Banks have been using Prints to deter Cheque Fraud for almost 10 years now.