ProtectMyID from Experian warns of an increased risk of flatmate fraudsters

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:00:20 GMT

New research by ProtectMyID from Experian, the global information services company, has found that while flat sharing is a practical solution to finding accommodation in an overpriced market, it could mean that people are putting themselves at risk of ID Fraud from new flatmates. This research comes at a time when online searches for 'flat sharing' have more than quadrupled in the past year as the cost of everyday living continues to rise*.

According to the Experian study of over 5000 victims of fraud, young people, particularly those in shared rented accommodation, living in flats with communal halls or those who move frequently are the third group most at risk from identity fraud with a risk that is over two and a half times the national average. Indeed a quarter of victims suspect renters, lodgers or flatmates of cashing in on shared mailboxes and undirected post**.

Peter Turner from Experian's ProtectMyID commented, "Flat sharing and rental is fast becoming the best option for millions of Brits unable to provide the necessary deposits to make their first step up the property ladder. In the majority of cases this is a great option to meet new people and experience living away from home for the first time.

"However, as one of the fastest growing groups targeted by both professional and amateur fraudsters, we want new flat sharers to be more vigilant to the dangers and effects of ID fraud. By sharing your home, flatmate fraudsters have all the access they need to a vast amount of your personal information in the way of post, personal documents and photos."

Key benefits of ProtectMyID.co.uk:
- Continuous ID protection monitoring for signs of potential fraudulent activity
- Email or text alerts to user if a change is detected
- Full details of the activity with recommendations on next steps held on a secure personal account
- Access to dedicated caseworker for one to one help and advice for victims of fraud
- Optional free fraud insurance of up to £75,000 (Provided by ARC, underwritten by AXA) to cover fraud resolution costs
- Option to apply for CIFAS Protective Registration if at risk or already a victim of fraud.
- Access to information on how to protect against the risks of becoming a victim of identity theft through the ProtectMyID ID fraud blog.

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Notes to editors:
* Research provided by Hitwise from Experian. February 2011
** Victim of Fraud Insight Report by Experian, March 2010

About Experian
Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 90 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2010 was $3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and São Paulo, Brazil.

Experian warns smartphone users to smarten up

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:04:55 GMT

Experian has warned smartphone users may be risking the security of their identity if they store sensitive information on their phones and use unsecure WI-Fi networks to get online. This is according to new research by ProtectMyID, Experian's identity-protection service.

According to this latest research:
- Nearly two thirds (65%) of smartphone users send and store e-mails on their phones – even if these include sensitive information such as receipts and credit card details from shopping online.

- More than half (53%) of smartphone users access social networking sites from their phones. This could easily reveal key pieces of information like names, dates of birth and other details commonly used as passwords for online banking and other accounts, such as first school or place of birth.

- Nearly one third (29%) of smartphone users take advantage of public Wi-Fi hotspots (often found in city centres, used whilst having a break from the shops) which are unsecure and highly vulnerable to electronic eavesdroppers.

- Of these, one in five (19%) say they conduct online banking while using public WiFi, risking their accounts, PINs and passwords.

The Home Office found that mobile phone identity fraud, rose by three quarters (74%) in the first half of last year* but more than half of the smartphone users who took part in the Protect My ID survey were completely unaware of the problem.

"The personal information on an average smartphone is like gold dust to an ID thief and many of us could be putting this on a plate by using public Wi-Fi networks," said Peter Turner, Managing Director of Experian Interactive. "A criminal can use this information to masquerade as the phone's owner, drain his or her accounts, run up debts in their victim’s name and even open new accounts.

"Often, the first people know about it is when they receive a demand for payment for services they haven't used or for an account they have never heard of. We've certainly seen cases where criminals have changed the address of the smartphone, ordered new handsets and run up huge bills."

As many as 10,000 smartphones are also stolen every month, according to the Metropolitan Police**, so it really makes sense for users to take sensible identity protection precautions to keep their personal information safe.

Notes to editors:
*CIFAS: Fraudscape, 2010
** www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/phone.htm

Key benefits of ProtectMyID.co.uk
* Continuous monitoring of Experian credit reports for signs of potential fraudulent activity
* Email or text alerts to user if a significant change is detected
* Full details of the activity with recommendations on next steps, all held on a secure personal account
* Access to dedicated caseworker for one-to-one help and advice
* Optional free fraud insurance of up to £75,000 (Provided by ARC, underwritten by AXA) to cover any fraud-resolution costs
* Option to apply for CIFAS Protective Registration for those at particular risk or already a victim of fraud.

About Experian
Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 90 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent identity fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and offers).

ProtectmyId.co.uk reveals British public lending a hand to online fraudsters

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:53:35 GMT

New research by ProtectmyID.co.uk has revealed just how relaxed the Great British public are when it comes to protecting themselves in the digital world. In the face of one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, the research has shown that millions of online users are readily making the information required to steal their identities available to digital fraudsters.

The online study commissioned to mark the launch of the new ProtectmyID.co.uk fraud protection service by Experian, revealed that three of the most regularly used passwords (town of birth (24%), date of birth (18%) and name of past schools (18%)**) also feature in a top ten of personal details which the public include on social networking and dating sites. By making these personal details so accessible online, people are making themselves easy targets for digital criminals who are ready to maximise this information for fraudulent activities such as ID theft.

The new study looked at how willing the public are to display personal details online compared with the information they are prepared to give out to people/companies contacting them by phone. The figures are vastly different, with minimal numbers of people admitting to give out such personal information directly to strangers (Town of Birth (7%), Name of past schools (1%), mother’s maiden name (6%)**).

In addition, the research revealed that over half the population (51%)** use the same online password for some or most of their online accounts, with 52%** admitting to never changing their online passwords, or only changing their passwords when they believe their online account may have been compromised or have been prompted to do so.

Speaking about the research results, Pete Turner, Managing Director of Experian Interactive, said: "The results of our research show that the message of identity fraud is still not being heard. The Internet is accessible to almost everyone and as the number of users grow, so do those using it for criminal purposes. Users need to be aware of what information they are giving out online and who might be accessing it. People are clearly aware of the dangers of giving away personal details to strangers calling them up on the phone, so why are they giving this information away to a huge audience online?"

2009 research conducted by Experian revealed that people took longer to discover that they had become a victim of fraud, indicating that fraudsters are getting better at covering their tracks; the average time taken is now 416 days, up 17 days compared to 2008*. Year on year, reported fraud rose most sharply in early summer, rising by 57% in May and by 74% in June* - the highest number ever reported to Experian in any single month. The average financial loss per victim was £1,100 in 2009 and the most extreme loss reported to Experian was for almost £59,000*

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Notes to Editors:
* Statistics from Experian
** YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2003 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken in July 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

About ProtectMyID.co.uk:
ProtectMyID is provided by Experian Ltd. Registered No. England 653331.

About Experian:
Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 90 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft by providing

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