< Back to previous page

Consumers warned of pickpocket' fraud crimes

Published on 2 Dec 2009 under category: legal

Consumers have been urged to safeguard themselves from fraudsters.

Richard Hurley, communications manager for CIFAS, the UK's fraud protection service, warned that there could be a rise in identity fraud crimes around the Christmas period.

According to CIFAS, there have been 68,000 instances of this kind of crime in the ten months up to November.

This figure represents a 37 per cent increase when compared to the total recorded during the same period of last year.

Mr Hurley said: "The festive season traditionally reminds us of the high street threats of thieves and pickpockets stealing our wallets.

"We must, however, protect ourselves equally from their latter-day counterparts who target our identities."

The fraud protection body also revealed that bank takeover fraud crimes have risen by 18 per cent in the first ten months of 2009 in comparison to the same period of last year.

CIFAS has 260 members in the UK spread across industries such as banking, financial, retail credit, telecoms and savings.

If you require advice on Corporate Fraud please call us on +44 (0)20 7831 0101 and ask for Dan Hyde.