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Identity theft is getting worse
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Internet fraudsters target online shoppers
Monday 17 November 2008
By Becca Talbot becca.talbot@consumerchoices.co.uk
People who bank and shop online are most at risk of identity theft, according to new statistics from a fraud-prevention group.
New data from Get Safe Online, an internet safety initiative, has estimated that each web user could be worth an average of £14,500 to criminals. The figure is a calculation based on factors such as average earnings and access to credit.
The findings were revealed as part of the fourth annual Get Safe Online Week. It highlights ways to protect your identity and finances when shopping and banking online.
As six out of 10 people now manage finances online, experts have warned people to be more aware of the dangers of internet shopping and giving out personal information.
Tony Neate managing director of Get Safe Online said fraudsters can buy personal information easily and will use it immediately: “We want to draw attention to the fact that online criminal activity can be a sophisticated business.”
He continued: “Each of us can take steps to prevent ourselves from becoming a victim. If internet users invest a relatively small amount of time and money in ensuring they are fully protected and up-to-date, the risk of such financial loss is almost negligible.”
A study published by the BBC, carried about by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), revealed criminal websites were selling personal information for just £5 per piece of data or £80 for a package, which could include a victim's name, address, passport number and confidential financial data such as credit card numbers and bank details.
Shoppers have also been warned about using the same password for favourite websites, which makes it easier for bank details and other sensitive data to be gathered by fraudsters.
Get Safe Online estimates that nearly half of all computer users in the UK are at risk because they are not using defensive measures such as a firewall, or up-to-date software which can identify viruses and hackers.
Statistics also showed that fraudulent “phishing” emails – emails which look like they have come from a bank, but in fact ask the recipient to log in to a fake website – have been rising sharply, with 23% of those surveyed by Get Safe Online saying they had been, or knew someone that had been, a victim of a phishing attack, compared to just 8% last year.
Another online fraud-prevention website, Be Card Smart, has some key tips to help avoid identity theft:
- Check that you computer has a firewall enabled
- Update your anti-virus software on a regular basis
- Never open files attached to an email from an unknown source
- If you use a wireless network, make sure it is encrypted
- Download the latest security updates automatically
Chris Eagle, commercial manager at CreditChoices.co.uk said: “You shouldn’t be put off shopping or banking online; you just have to ensure that you use your personal details safely and on the right sites. Only buy from trusted websites, and if you use Mastercard or Visa, make sure that you make full use of their additional security measures.”
Eagle continued: “MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa allow you to choose your own password that is used as an additional layer of security when you buy online.”
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