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ID fears 'spike after CD loss'

06/12/2007

The government's high-profile loss of child benefit data has seen fears of identity theft nearly double in 2007, a survey suggests.

American Express Insurance Services (AEIS) commissioned a poll from YouGov showing 41 per cent were worried about identity theft in the run-up to Christmas, compared to just 22 per cent in January.

Researchers attributed growing fears about personal safety from 63 per cent to 76 per cent to widening perceptions about security issues. Identity theft and fraud now create another vulnerability in addition to perennial worries about anti-social behaviour and yob culture.

HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) loss of two compact discs containing the personal data of 25 million people has boosted such concerns even further, AEIS head Chris Rolland believes.

"Events in the last few weeks have clearly focused the public's attention on identity theft issues," he said.

"We appreciate that for busy Brits today there never seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything, but protecting one's identity is something everyone should review every now and then."

The survey saw yob culture remaining the number one safety issue for the British public, a concern voiced by 44 per cent of respondents. But woman and those aged between 25 and 34 years old placed identity theft above even this perennial worry, it found.