Experian has said that “corporate top-dogs” – those on £50,000 a year salaries, either at director level or running their own business – are three times more likely than anyone else to have their identity stolen by fraudsters.

Next on the list of potential targets is the ‘smart money’ group. This group is made up of highly successful and well-paid directors of large companies or of their own companies, and they are two-and-a-half times more likely to fall victim.

In the report - Victims of Fraud Dossier – Experian also identified the UK’s identity fraud hotspots. Kensington and Chelsea in London are apparently the worst areas for identity crime in the UK.

The report found forwarding address fraud is the most commonly perpetrated method, representing 36% of identity fraud. Using this technique, the fraudster redirects the victim’s post to a drop address that he/she then visits to collect mail.

Overall incidents of identity fraud meanwhile increased by 66% last year compared to the 12 months before. Over 6,000 victims sought help from Experian during 2007 with just over 3,500 doing the same in 2006.

“The dramatic increases in identity fraud we have witnessed over the last few years have coincided with the increasing involvement of organised criminals in this space,” said Helen Lord, director of fraud and compliance at Experian.

“The rate of identity fraud growth is worrying. Although some people are statistically more likely than others to become a victim, we should all be concerned. We are all potential victims.”

Our Random Articles

• Small businesses plan staff cuts in early 2012
• Unemployment rise – what does this mean for small businesses?
• The Mary Portas Review
• Experts Warn Small Firms of the Need to be More Aware of IT Security Risks
• SMEs Unprepared for New Pension Reforms

More Links