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Wastebins an 'ID theft goldmine' Wastebins an 'ID theft goldmine'
(10 minutes later)
Householders are still throwing out too many bits of paper that might help criminals steal their identity.Householders are still throwing out too many bits of paper that might help criminals steal their identity.
To help solve the problem police and other consumer organisations will be launching a second national identity fraud prevention week starting Monday.To help solve the problem police and other consumer organisations will be launching a second national identity fraud prevention week starting Monday.
A bin-raiding test in London found nearly half of 120 households had thrown away enough information for their identity to be stolen.A bin-raiding test in London found nearly half of 120 households had thrown away enough information for their identity to be stolen.
The government has estimated that ID fraud cost the UK £1.7bn last year.The government has estimated that ID fraud cost the UK £1.7bn last year.
Throwing away your personal details is as good as advertising them in the local paper. Nigel Evans MPThrowing away your personal details is as good as advertising them in the local paper. Nigel Evans MP
According to CIFAS, the UK's fraud prevention service, identity theft has risen more than five-fold from 20,000 cases in 1999 to 137,000 in 2005.According to CIFAS, the UK's fraud prevention service, identity theft has risen more than five-fold from 20,000 cases in 1999 to 137,000 in 2005.
But experts have suggested that the true figure of ID fraud cases is in fact far higher.But experts have suggested that the true figure of ID fraud cases is in fact far higher.
Wandsworth dustbinsWandsworth dustbins
The bin-raiding experiment was carried out in four streets in the London borough of Wandsworth.The bin-raiding experiment was carried out in four streets in the London borough of Wandsworth.
Researchers, helped by the council, rifled through the rubbish and re-cycling boxes thrown out by the residents.Researchers, helped by the council, rifled through the rubbish and re-cycling boxes thrown out by the residents.
The results gave a hint at the ease with which criminals might be able to steal valuable data.The results gave a hint at the ease with which criminals might be able to steal valuable data.
Credit and debit card numbers had been thrown away in their rubbish by 30% of the 120 homes, the researchers found.Credit and debit card numbers had been thrown away in their rubbish by 30% of the 120 homes, the researchers found.
HOW TO AVOID ID THEFT Do not use your mother's maiden name or place of birth as a security passwordCheck your credit record annuallyIf you move, make sure you let your bank knowShred or rip-up post before throwing it in the binNever use the same password for all your accountsDo not carry address details in your wallet Source: Which? class="">"I was a victim of ID theft for 10 years" HOW TO AVOID ID THEFT Do not use your mother's maiden name or place of birth as a security passwordCheck your credit record annuallyIf you move, make sure you let your bank knowShred or rip-up post before throwing it in the binNever use the same password for all your accountsDo not carry address details in your wallet Source: Which? class="">'I had my identity stolen'
Documents containing bank account numbers and sort codes had been thrown away by 46% of those whose rubbish was investigated.Documents containing bank account numbers and sort codes had been thrown away by 46% of those whose rubbish was investigated.
And 73% had thrown out paper showing their exact signature on a credit or debit card, the said.And 73% had thrown out paper showing their exact signature on a credit or debit card, the said.
Such a small sample is not representative, either geographically or demographically, of the wider UK population.Such a small sample is not representative, either geographically or demographically, of the wider UK population.
But the government believes this sort of carelessness is one reason why identity fraud has been a growing problem in the last few years.But the government believes this sort of carelessness is one reason why identity fraud has been a growing problem in the last few years.
"Identity fraud is costing the UK billions of pounds a year, and is one of Britain's fastest growing crimes," said Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley and chair of the all party group on identity fraud. "Yet people are still not doing enough to protect themselves."Identity fraud is costing the UK billions of pounds a year, and is one of Britain's fastest growing crimes," said Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley and chair of the all party group on identity fraud. "Yet people are still not doing enough to protect themselves.
"Throwing away your personal details is as good as advertising them in the local paper. We are making it far too easy for the identity thieves," he added."Throwing away your personal details is as good as advertising them in the local paper. We are making it far too easy for the identity thieves," he added.
Criminal callCriminal call
Campaigners have been calling for ID theft to be made a criminal offence in the UK, at present only using a stolen identity to obtain goods and services by deception is outlawed.Campaigners have been calling for ID theft to be made a criminal offence in the UK, at present only using a stolen identity to obtain goods and services by deception is outlawed.
In the USA, which faced an upsurge in ID theft earlier than the UK, stealing someone's identity is now an jailable offence.In the USA, which faced an upsurge in ID theft earlier than the UK, stealing someone's identity is now an jailable offence.
One reason for the stiff penalites is that in the US the problem of ID theft can be exacerbated by the use of social security numbers.One reason for the stiff penalites is that in the US the problem of ID theft can be exacerbated by the use of social security numbers.
The wide use of social security numbers can mean that an individual's identity can be thoroughly compromised by criminals, analysts said.The wide use of social security numbers can mean that an individual's identity can be thoroughly compromised by criminals, analysts said.
And in some extreme cases, according to CIFAS, victims have had to declare themselves legally dead to resolve the situation, a phenomena known as 'pseudocide'.And in some extreme cases, according to CIFAS, victims have had to declare themselves legally dead to resolve the situation, a phenomena known as 'pseudocide'.