Haywards Heath is identity fraud hotspot

10.15.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Apr 2007

Haywards Heath is the 15th worst town in the country for identity fraud according to a new study by fraud prevention company, Experian.

Serena Tierney, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Mid Sussex, commenting on the report said:

"The success of chip and PIN cards has meant that criminals are getting smarter about how they rob the public. People need to be aware of the risks and to look out for themselves. We all know that we have to be careful about how we get rid of papers with personal details on them such as card receipts. This report is telling us that we need to pay close attention to our bank statements and watch out for items we don't recognise.

"The groups most at risk from identity fraud are highly-paid professionals, company directors and business owners. But those renting their homes are also at very high risk. There are many people in each of those groups living locally and that helps to explain why Haywards Heath is such a fraud hotspot.

Paul Lucraft, a fraud prevention expert who lives in Haywards Heath, added:

"The biggest risk is of present address fraud - where someone uses your name and address to take advantage of your credit record and get goods or money. Most people only find out that this has happened when they are contacted by the finance company or are refused credit. Following the 5 top tips will help you reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fraud yourself.

If it does happen to you, don't panic. Report it to the police and contact the finance company. They are used to dealing with this kind of fraud and will help you sort it out."

Serena added:

"The one reassuring bit of the report is that it is usually the bank or credit card company that suffers the direct financial loss. But in the end we all pay for it through higher charges so we all benefit from taking responsibility for making life more difficult for the criminals."

Serena and Paul's 5 top tips for fraud prevention

• Never give out personal details over the phone

• Only enter personal and card details into secure websites. Look for the closed padlock symbol in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.

• Always check your bank and credit card statements for entries that you do not recognise

• Never respond to emails that appear to come from your bank, an online retailer or other organisation asking you to confirm your personal details. No reputable organisation does this: it is often organised criminals taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the Internet.

• Avoid using obvious passwords and use a different one for each site. Don't store the passwords themselves: if you need a reminder store yourself a clue.

Notes:

1. The report, Victims of Fraud Dossier, Part II can be obtained from Experian - www.experian.co.uk