Student renters at greatest risk of ID theft

22 2007
Following the chancellor's admission that HM Customs and Revenue has lost the personal details of up to 15 million Britons, students and young professionals in the rental accommodation sector have been warned of the dangers of identity theft.

Given that those renting accommodation are likely to change addresses more than once, while young people are high on the list of those receiving credit card and other promotional material, studies have shown that 18 to 29-year-olds are the most likely victims of identity fraud.

Furthermore, those renting accommodation in London are four times more likely than the UK average to fall victim to the crime, which now costs the country around £1.7 billion a year.

As well as ensuring that any bank statements or documents containing personal information are shredded before being thrown out, students and graduates have been advised to make sure their post is sent to a private and locked mail box rather than a communal one, and also to make sure they change their contact details as soon as they change address.

"It takes an average of 539 days to discover that you've become a victim and it can then take a further 300 hours of work to clear your name," the Scotsman warned. ADNFCR-1219-ID-18365714-ADNFCR

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