Press Release

DON'T BE A FRAUDSTER'S FRIEND

Equifax warns consumers not to be careless with their ID following BBC1 ID Fraud Programme

London 4th April 2008 - Following last night's investigation into ID fraud on BBC 1, Equifax is urging consumers to protect their personal information. ID fraud is the fastest growing crime in the 21st century with nearly 200,000 Britons falling foul of fraudsters who have stolen millions of pounds*. The BBC television programme featured the City of London Economic Crime Unit, the UK's only specialist police unit for identity thieves and highlighted the ways that personal identity can be at risk. Equifax warns consumers to recognise the value of their information and to think about how they use it.

"The BBC programme demonstrated how fraudsters now use an abundance of ways to steal information. It's no longer just lottery scams, bin raiding or obtaining information from old computer hard drives, 'cyber fraudsters' are now using the latest technology," confirms Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director, Equifax. "The fraudster will send out a spam mail that contains the latest spy wear. Once the mail is opened it will infiltrate the person's computer so the fraudster has rich pickings of any personal information held on the computer."

The programme also showed that it's wrong to assume that fraudsters are complete strangers, highlighting stories of ID fraud carried out by flatmates and family members. This supported findings by Equifax that 1 in 4 victims knew the fraudster. Even social networking sites offer an abundance of information that a fraudster can use, as revealed in an Equifax survey last year. 87% of respondents have their full name and 38% their date of birth on their online profile, which is a gift for fraudsters.

Munroe concludes, "It's terrifying how little information fraudsters need to be able to open accounts in an individual's name, rack up huge debts and leave the victim, at best to spend hundreds of hours sorting out the problem and at worst, picking up the bill. Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to trick individuals out of their information and it's up to consumers to make sure it's as difficult for them as possible."

EQUIFAX TIPS TO PROTECT AGAINST ID FRAUD

Apply for a copy of your credit file to look out for any unauthorised activity
Shred statements bills and direct mail which contains personal information
Redirect mail if you move
Keep your PIN secure
Always check bank statements and credit card statements carefully against receipts
Be careful of what you carry around in your handbag or wallet. Credit Card receipts, payslips, driving licence, bank statement, utility bill...these all reveal a lot of information about you and a combination of these can be a fraudsters dream
When using online banking, ensure people can't view your details and log out of the site, rather than just closing the window
No matter how much you trust your friends, work colleagues, do not give out your PIN number under any circumstances
Do not use the same PIN number for all of your cards and never write your PIN number down
If you are disposing of an old computer, make sure you destroy information on the hard drive
Make sure you have the latest virus protection that ideally updates hourly and you have a Firewall

EQUIFAX TIPS FOR SAFE ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKING

Don't include common verification such as your date of birth or your mothers maiden name
Set up privacy on your profile so only close friends can view your information
If you are going on holiday or you will be left in your home alone, don't put it on your site. This could leave you vulnerable to break ins
Potential partners and employers are often searching names on these sites. Don't put anything on your site which could ruin your chances of a new job or boyfriend/girlfriend
Be wary of anyone you meet online. The photo may be deceptive and they may have different intentions

* CIFAS

April 2008

For further press information please contact: Elinor Puzey, Louise Fowler or Cecile Stearn at HSL on 020 8977 9132 / Fax: 020 8977 5200 or Email: louise@harrisonsadler.com