Good evening / 04.12.08
Corporate Solutions
Corporate Solutions
10 March 2008
Residents of Bootle in Merseyside – birthplace of football greats including Jamie Carragher and Steve McManaman - are the second most likely group to become victims of identity fraud in the UK, only behind residents of Croydon, Greater London. The North West of England as a region also ranks second in terms of ID theft risk across the UK. Analysis by Callcredit* found that almost 50% of the top 20 postal areas most at risk of ID fraud fell within the North West of England, suggesting that those living in the area need to be on high alert for identity theft.
While London and the North West top the ID fraud list, the North East is the third most ‘at risk’ region, followed by the West Midlands. Residents in Northern Ireland are however the least at risk of ID theft in UK.
Owen Roberts, Identity Protection Expert at Callcredit said: “Due to transient populations, the UK’s largest cities are most at risk of ID fraud. Whether you live in city or a village no one is 100% safe from identity theft. Taking simple steps such as shredding documents, protecting your PC and regularly checking your credit report can however help you to stay safe and make life harder for the criminals.
“Data loss and ID fraud has become an all too familiar concept. Becoming a victim of ID fraud can be a devastating experience, so doing all you can to protect yourself is essential. Although there’s plenty of information available on how to stay protected from identity theft, many people are still getting caught out.”
Top 10 postal districts most at risk of ID Fraud
| Rank | Postal districts most at risk of ID Fraud |
| 1 | New Addington, Croydon |
| 2 | Bootle |
| 3 | Purfleet |
| 4 | Higher Folds, Leigh |
| 5 | Northfleet, Gravesend |
| 6 | Tilbury |
| 7 | Greater London |
| 8 | Penrhys, Ferndale |
| 9 | Sheerness |
| 10 | Kirkby, Liverpool |
Postal districts most at risk of ID Fraud
| Rank | Postal districts most at risk of ID Fraud |
| 1 | London |
| 2 | North West |
| 3 | North East |
| 4 | West Midlands |
| 5 | Yorkshire And The Humber |
| 6 | Scotland |
| 7 | East Midlands |
| 8 | Wales |
| 9 | East |
| 10 | South East |
| 11 | South West |
| 12 | Northern Ireland |
| Rank | Postal districts most at risk of ID Fraud |
| 1 | Highampton, Beaworthy |
| 2 | Hankerton, Malmesbury |
| 3 | Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham |
| 4 | Broadwell, Rugby |
| 5 | Rosenannon, Bodmin |
Fascinating facts about Bootle
| Many notable footballers were born in Bootle and Jamie Carragher, Steve McManaman and Roy Evans all came to prominence by playing for Liverpool |
| Bootle has produced the actor Tom Baker, of Doctor Who |
| The BBC news and features presenter Will Hanrahan, is originally from Bootle |
Callcredit’s top tips to protect your identity
| Don’t throw your identity in the bin – always shred important documents |
| Keep passwords and PINS safe and don’t disclose them to anyone |
| Don’t broadcast your identity on the internet by failing to protect your PC |
| Keep a note of useful numbers to contact should you suspect you have become a victim of ID fraud |
| Make certain you are watching for warning signs by regularly checking your credit report on www.mycallcredit.co.uk |
Sources:
* using GeoFraud technology from Callcredit
For further press information contact: Jane Fordham, Katie Moore or Sophie Smith at the Callcredit Press Office on 0207 067 0600 or callcreditpr@golinharris.com
