Identity fraud could affect any one of us – from a personal and a business perspective. Finding out that someone has stolen your identity is not just an inconvenience, it can be devastating – so ‘Don’t Let it Be You!’

New research shows that 24% of UK citizens have been a victim of identity fraud, which is the highest figure in Europe, plus a further 75% have been exposed to scams used by identity fraudsters.

Identity fraud is now one of the UK’s fastest growing crimes. Although most people know about it, consumers and businesses are not aware of, or are not taking steps to fully protect themselves or their businesses.

This website offers a range of resources to help you and your business avoid the costly and debilitating effects of this crime.

The facts reflect the scale of the problem:

• 24% of British people have been a victim of identity fraud, which is the highest figure in Europe

• On average, it has taken UK victims 7 months to realise they have become a victim of identity fraud and another 3.4 months to resolve the situation, but in some instances these two phases can take many years

• 63% of victims have suffered from financial loss; and on average, ID fraud has cost British victims £1,076 per person to date, but this has been as high as £30,000 in one case

• 25% of British people believe it is likely that they will become a victim of ID fraud

• Indeed, 75% of people have been exposed to scams used by identity fraudsters; and this is one of the highest figures in Europe, along with Russia

• While 58% of British people are concerned about having their identity stolen, as many (58%) are worried about losing their wallet or purse and 49% are worried about losing their front door keys

• 87% of people keep copies of personal information; and 83% store at least some of these items in paper form

• 92% of British people attempt to protect themselves from identity fraud; but 47% do not consistently shred all paper documents with personal information on before discarding them

• The two main reasons for this are a lack of shredders (18%) and that people believe tearing documents up is good enough (18%).