Rise in fraud makes London the UK's identity theft capital

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London is the country’s identity theft capital, with significantly higher rates than anywhere else in the UK.

The figures, from Experian, are based on the number of fraudulent applications across financial products including: current accounts, loans, mortgages, savings accounts, insurance, automotive and credit cards.

The 2014 figures, which focus for the first time on how fraud is concentrated in different parts of London, reveal that both inner and outer London are by far the most targeted areas in the country.

Outer London topped the regional list with 34 cases of identity fraud for every 10,000 adults.

Central London followed closely behind with 33 cases of identity fraud for every 10,000 adults.

This compares with the next highest rate of identity theft which was in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, with a mere 12 in every 10,000.

Top 20 highest third party fraud rates by location in 2014

  • Outer London 34 in every 10,000

  • Central London 33 in every 10,000

  • Hatfield 12 in every 10,000

  • St Albans 12 in every 10,000

  • Dartford 11 in every 10,000

  • Slough 10 in every 10,000

  • Gravesend 9 in every 10,000

  • Brentwood 8 in every 10,000

  • Aldershot 7 in every 10,000

  • Maidenhead 7 in every 10,000

  • West Thurrock 6 in every 10,000

  • Gillingham 5 in every 10,000

  • Hamilton 5 in every 10,000

  • Bromsgrove 5 in every 10,000

  • Crawley 5 in every 10,000

  • Skipton 5 in every 10,000

  • Birmingham - Erdington 5 in every 10,000

  • Luton 4 in every 10,000

  • Oldham 3 in every 10,000

  • Bracknell 3 in every 10,000