Prudential Home Insurance: Redirecting post could avoid identity theft

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Prudential Home Insurance: Redirecting post could avoid identity theft

Wed 3rd May 2006

Almost half of all identity theft occurs at an individual's previous address, a statistic that could be improved by being careful to redirect post to one's new residence, Prudential Home Insurance has claimed today.

Identity fraud is the fastest growing criminal offence in the UK, Prudential reports, costing the economy £1.7 billion a year.

The company also states that almost one in five home movers do not consider the redirection of their post a priority and urges people to reconsider the issue.

Some 23 per cent of households have received a bank statement addressed to a previous occupant, according to the research by Prudential Home Insurance, and almost half have received bills, insurance documents or credit card statements addressed to ex-residents.

Such letters could easily fall into criminal hands and be used to glean personal details such as credit card and bank account numbers and also as proof of identity.

"Despite more than 100,000 people being affected by identity fraud each year, a quarter of households are unconcerned about identity fraud and fail to take even basic precautions," said Nick Fox, Prudential's resident expert on the issue.

Prudential Home Insurance gives a number of recommendations as to how people can protect themselves against identity theft, such as shredding all personal documents before disposing of them and locking sensitive documents away at home.

The insurer also advised exercising caution online and never responding to unsolicited emails and being aware of the post that one expects to be receiving and ensuring that it is being sent to the correct address.

Identity theft assistance comes as standard for Prudential Insurance customers who opt for legal protection.

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