There is no doubt that identity theft is a major issue which is going to get worse before it gets better. The problem at this moment in time is that many people are ignorant of the threat of identity theft and indeed the vast majority of people think “it will never happen to me”. However, evidence clearly shows that identity theft is on the increase and is now one of the more lucrative sectors for the criminal fraternity now that the Internet is literally in every household around the UK.

Some of the more at risk towns and cities include London (22 cases per 10,000 households) Gravesend (20 cases per 10,000 households), Birmingham (17 cases per 10,000 households) all the way down to Windsor with 12 cases per 10,000 households. Others on the list include Luton, Manchester, Leicester, High Wycombe and Peterborough.

The overall rate for London is 22 cases per 10,000 households with the worst boroughs being East Ham, Woolwich, Stratford, Ilford, Walthamstow, Harrow, Cheapside, Lewisham, Hatfield and Enfield. The range for this particular list is 78 cases per 10,000 households in East Ham down to 26 cases per 10,000 households in Enfield. Even if you are at the lower end of the more risky areas of the UK this rate is still significantly greater than the overall average for the UK.

While there is no doubt that governments and companies around the UK are investing significant amounts of money to secure their data and their websites, consumers also need to do their part. It is inconceivable in this day and age that anybody would attempt to use the Internet without some kind of antivirus software because cyber criminals are everywhere and there are very few computers around the world which will not at some stage have been “under attack”. One of the main problems is that very often we don’t actually know when we are under attack because either our anti-virus software is working or indeed our computers have been infiltrated.

It will be interesting to see how these particular towns and cities of the UK react to the news of well above-average identity theft cases per 10,000 households. Aside from the investment in software and antivirus systems we also need to have some kind of awareness program to ensure that consumers and Internet users are well aware of the potential problems. Many identity theft victims will not even realise they have been a “victim” until it is too late and their bank accounts have been cleared.

Identity theft

The simple fact is that identity theft is increasing year-on-year despite the fact that governments around the world are investing millions upon millions of pounds into preventative measures. We can only imagine how bad the situation would be without government investment in time and money and indeed how powerful the identity theft gangs would be.

We can bury our head in the sand but the reality is that identity theft is going on 24 hours a day seven days a week around the world. Whether applications are being made for credit card in your name, rental arrangements are being signed, there are opportunities for the criminal gangs to steal your identity and make money.

What can identity theft protection give me?

First and foremost many of the identity theft insurance policies available today will protect you from any financial losses and also contribute towards your legal costs. The sad fact is that the vast majority of people who are victims of identity theft will at some stage need to take legal advice and legal action to put the situation right. As the underlying criminals are likely to be long gone before the authorities arrive very often the cost of this activity is borne by the victim.

We’re talking about potentially thousands upon thousands of pounds in legal expenses let alone the potential financial losses incurred. So in many ways identity theft insurance is slowly but surely becoming a must have financial arrangement rather than a luxury. Have you considered identity theft insurance?

Checking your finances

The first time that you will ever realise you have been the victim of identity theft will probably occur when you check your bank statements or indeed apply for a financial arrangement yourself. It is therefore imperative that we all check our financial statements on a regular basis and with a fine tooth comb. It is also vital that we regularly check our credit reference files with the various agencies to ensure that no dubious applications have been made on our behalf without our knowledge.

It seems unfair that the potential “victim” is the one who is asked to spend time and money ensuring that everything is okay but that is the reality of today. Those who sit back and automatically assume that identity theft will not cross their paths are the perfect victims for the criminal gangs. It is the “it will never happen to me” attitude which has cost many people thousands upon thousands of pounds. It is not fair, there is no rhyme nor reason to it but the fact is that criminal gangs will steal your identity given half a chance and you need to be aware of this.

This leaves a whopping 900,000 credit card applications made each and every year as potentially having the ability to be successful. When you take into account the fact that we fight tooth and nail to ensure that identity theft is not commonplace when we are live, what chance do we have when we are dead?

Obtaining personal information

The sad fact is that the vast majority of information used by identity thieves where applications are made on behalf of dead people is readily available via public records. It is this openness which is in many ways giving the identity theft gangs the ability to obtain information very easily and on a regular basis.

By the time many of these illegal applications are found out the identity theft gangs have spent a significant amount of money and raked up enormous debts. As there is literally nobody to pay back these debts they are often borne by bank customers around the world who ultimately pay the price.

Identity theft insurance

It is becoming more and more apparent that we all need to address the situation of identity theft insurance and whether in fact we need it. The vast majority of banks at this moment in time will take on board any losses for genuine identity theft cases but in reality this may well change in the future. They may well come a time when we will all need to address the problem and cover ourselves in case of challenges by criminal gangs in the future.

Has the Internet created the identity theft monster?

Some people believe that the ongoing influence and reliability on the Internet is a major stepping stone for the criminal gangs to obtain information on mass. How many times have you heard about credit card details being lost or stolen, how many times have we heard about discs disappearing from government agencies and how many people have noticed their bins have been rifled through?

There are some more traditional identity theft activities such as raking through people’s bins but e-mails and online cyber attacks are by far and away the most popular and the most lucrative options. In reality the vast majority of these gangs operate from overseas and are very difficult to track down because in the unlikely event you find an address for them they will no doubt have scarpered.

Conclusion

It is becoming more and more apparent that not only are we susceptible to identity theft when we are alive and kicking but also when we are 6 foot under. Can you imagine anybody applying for a credit card in your name after you have died?

The reality today is that many criminal gangs will stoop as low as possible to make sure they obtain as much information so that they can apply for financial instruments on your behalf. They care not whether you are alive or dead and they care not whether your family or your bank will have to pick up the tab. Identity thieves literally have no conscience!

One

Never give out your Social Security number unless you are 100% certain who you’re talking to. Many people prefer to ask those in authority to give out a contact number so they can call them back to confirm who they are.

Two

Never leave your wallet or your purse unattended because it literally takes a second for someone to pinch your ID from your wallet.

Three

Only use credit and debit cards when you need to, as cash is most certainly the safest way to pay for anything on a face-to-face basis.

Four

Check your bank statements on a regular basis and immediately alert your bank to any suspicious withdrawals or activity on your account.

Five

If you have accounts or perhaps credit cards which you very rarely used it is advisable to close these and reduce the chances of ID theft. Rarely used accounts are perfect targets for ID thieves because it is unlikely you will realise anything has happened until it is too late.

Six

Always shred and dispose of personal documentation in a very careful and a very controlled manner. Leaving bank statements and other personal documents in your bin is a recipe for disaster as many people have found to their detriment.

Seven

Always keep an eye on your credit card or your debit card when you are out at a restaurant and the time comes to pay the bill. Never let it out of your sight!

Eight

Change your passwords on a regular basis with regards to banking and other online activities. Do not use the same password and username for multiple online applications.

Nine

Never give out personal information to unauthorised third-party callers even if they claim to be from well-known companies or government departments. Always ask them for some form of identity and even a telephone number so you can check they are who they say they are.

Ten

Refrain from keeping personal information on your mobile phone including passwords, pin numbers and other details which can identify you and your bank accounts. Many people have fallen foul of this particular problem!

Opinion is most certainly split as to whether this was the “right route” to highlight a growing problem around the world but there is no doubt that many people believe using the identity of a pseudonym is just plain wrong. This now begs the question as to how many other “personal blogs” from around the world are in fact administered and owned by very different people to those who “front” these blogs.

This story has most certainly hit the headlines around the world and a number of other “blogs” have been outed as fake. There is most certainly a danger that the subject of identity theft will overshadow the problems which many people have around the world, problems which in many instances need to be addressed and discussed in public. So in your opinion is this actual identity theft or a very useful and informative ruse to bring a very important subject into the public domain?

If nothing else, the creation of these blogs in question shows how easy it is to take on the identity of an individual who may or may not exist. There is no doubt that other “fake blogs” will be unveiled in the weeks and months ahead as this seems to be the new phenomenon on the Internet. It also shows that the Internet can be used as a very strong mask between the outside world and the underlying owners and administrators of websites and blogs.