Fraudsters target people's homes

Victims of identity fraud are now more likely to be hit in their present homes than at their previous addresses, a credit check company has claimed.

Financial information company Experian said fraud against someone at their present address rose from 35% to 45% in the second half of last year.

Worst hit was London, followed by St Albans, Herts, and Slough in Berkshire.

Experian said the increased involvement of organised crime was leading to the "industrialisation" of identity fraud.

'More sophisticated'

The company said the number of people who contacted them for help over identity fraud rose by 69% to 2,124 during the last six months of 2006.

Jill Stevens, Experian's director of consumer affairs, said: "The way identity fraud is being operated has changed in that there is more evidence of organised crime.

We should all be looking after our personal information because it is as precious as the cash in our wallets Jill Stevens

"Opportunistic thieves still exist, using consumers' previous addresses, but for the first time more identity victims are being targeted at their current address."

In its latest ranking of fraud hotspots, Experian said London had remained top, with a "risk score" of 252. Close behind were St Albans (208) and Slough (189).

Ms Stevens said: "The techniques being used are more sophisticated, because you have to redirect or steal mail before it gets to the address.

"We should all be looking after our personal information because it is as precious as the cash in our wallets."