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Consumers urged to act fast over ID fraud
01 May 2008
Identity thieves can take out loans and credit cards if not stopped soon enough, it has been claimed.
Regularly checking credit card statements and reporting any suspicious activities immediately can help consumers avoid any negative consequences of identity fraud, says credit report company Experian.
Helen Lord, fraud and regulatory compliance director at Experian, said: "Failure to act straightaway could allow a thief to take out loans or credit cards in your name, and the longer the fraud goes undetected, the more damage it will cause to your credit rating."
Using reputable websites for online shopping and safely disposing of old bank statements are just a few ways to protect against fraud.
"For example, lock away any documents that a thief might find useful, such as bank and credit card statements. If you’re away from home, arrange for a friend or neighbour to collect your post," Ms Lord added.
UK trade association APACS reported in March that online credit fraud amounted to £535.2 million, a rise of 25 per cent on the past year. 
