Where to avoid identity theft in London

  • London
Identity theft happens more frequently in London, according to new research. Credit: Martin Keene/PA Wire

East Ham is the top spot for identity fraud in the UK according to new research by the credit-crecking group Experian.

London as a whole experienced 11 attempts at identity fraud per 10,000 adults in 2012.

In East Ham that figure rose to 27 attempts per 10,000 adults.

Residents in Romford and Bexleyheath were also targeted at around five times the national average. Additional hotspots are to be found in the London commuter towns of Hatfield, Dartford and Camberley although the previous rise in fraud in Thames Valley and the Home Counties has slowed overall in 2012.

Experian found that identity fraud was also widespread in Woolwich, Stratford and Ilford. Here is a breakdown of the figures. For every 10,000 adults:

  • East Ham - 27

  • Romford - 23

  • Bexleyheath - 22

  • Woolwich - 20

  • Cheapside - 18

  • Stratford - 17

  • Ilford - 16

  • Walthamstow - 15

  • Lewisham - 14

  • Enfield - 14

London is also still the leading location for first-party fraud, according to the agency. First-party fraud is where genuine individuals attempt to change their circumstances or hide adverse financial information to obtain credit which they may not be in a position to afford.

The top ten areas identified per 10,000 adults are:

  • East Ham - 78

  • Stratford - 33

  • Hounslow - 32

  • Woolwich - 30

  • Ilford - 28

  • Walthamstow - 26

  • Ealing Broadway - 24

  • Cheapside - 24

  • Harrow - 22

  • Croydon -20