24.3 Million Brits Fear Identity Fraud Following Data Losses

* A third do not shred personal documents before binning them

* Over half (53%) of all Brits have used the same passwords and PIN codes for more than one account in the last 12 months

* Almost a third (30%) of people who recycle worry about risks of leaving personal documents outside in recycling boxes

Over half (55 per cent)* of Brits are more worried now than ever before about becoming a victim of identity fraud, following last year's high profile losses of discs containing millions of personal records, reveals new research from Direct Line.

Millions of people are now planning to take further action to protect themselves from identity fraudsters. Almost 12 million** (27 per cent) plan to regularly check all personal details are correct, while more than seven million** (16 per cent) intend to change their passwords on bank accounts/ other accounts. To further ease their concerns, nearly six million (12 per cent) people plan to buy a shredder to dispose of personal documents.

Address-related fraud was the most commonly committed identity fraud offence in the UK during the first half of 2007***. Despite this, in the last 12 months 14.6 million Brits (33 per cent) continue to put themselves at risk by throwing away unshredded bills, letters and documents displaying their address. Over seven million (16 per cent) do the same with their bank and credit card statements.

Following the Government's announcement to raise the Landfill Tax from April 2008, local councils are encouraging householders to recycle their rubbish. Eighty one per cent of those who already (or plan to) recycle paper will leave it outside their houses for collection, potentially providing even more opportunity for fraudsters if personal documents are included. However, almost a third (30 per cent) of these people admit they are worried about identity fraud, and over a third (35 per cent) say they won't recycle anything with their personal details on it.

An overwhelming 93 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that there could be more identity fraud cases in the future, mainly because they believe fraudsters are getting more sophisticated in their methods (83 per cent).

Andrew Lowe, Head of Home Insurance at Direct Line, commented, "Identity fraud has become a serious threat, and last year's high profile losses of personal data have clearly raised people's awareness of the issue, and the potential ways in which people could fall victim in the future.

"Being a victim of identity fraud can severely damage your credit rating, potentially causing problems with debt collectors, court actions and in getting a mortgage or a job, so taking precautions to protect yourself should not be underestimated."

In the last twelve months, 23.4 million Brits (53 per cent) have used the same password or PIN code for more than one account, providing fraudsters with plenty of opportunity if they were to get their hands on it. Worryingly, nearly one in five (18 per cent) Brits admit they write their password or PIN code down, and 12 per cent have given it to someone else to access for them, putting themselves at further risk.

Direct Line's top tips for protection against identity theft:

• Keep important documents in a safe place
• Safeguard PIN and password details
• Shred old bank statements
• Don't disclose personal details over the phone where possible; if you have to, ask for the callers details so that you can ring back to verify their identity
• When moving house, subscribe to a redirection service and inform your bank and utility providers of your new address immediately

Direct Line, one of the UK's leading insurers, is adding Identity Fraud Assistance to its home insurance policy, at no extra charge for new and existing customers. Direct Line is working with Experian to provide customers with a solution to identity fraud. If a customer has a specific issue or reason to believe that they are a victim of fraud, they are given online access to their credit report in order to identify any fraudulent activity. Following this, Experian's Victims of Fraud team will investigate these activities and the customer's credit report will be rectified. In all instances, Experian's CreditExpert offers 30 days free membership so customers can gain free access to their credit report.

Notes to Editors:

*The research was carried out on behalf of Direct Line motor insurance by YouGov. A nationally representative sample of 2122 GB adults were questioned online between 21st and 27th December 2007. Results are weighted to be representative of the GB adult population. YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.

** 55 per cent of 44.2 million adults living in Great Britain is 24.3 million.

27 per cent of 44.2 million adults living in GB is 11.93 million.

16 per cent adults living in GB is 7.07 million.

33 per cent adults living in GB is 14.586 million

53 per cent adults living in GB is 23.4 million.

***  According to the Experian Victim of Fraud Dossier, October 2007.

For more information, please contact

Kate Ellis, Direct Line
Email: kate.ellis@rbs.co.uk
0208 313 5741