100 million Facebook users details made available on the internet

* These are details that are already available as per a Facebook user’s privacy settings and can be accessible via any search engine. PrivacyGuard suggests that members review the privacy settings on any social networking accounts they may hold. PrivacyGuard would also like to reassure members that your Credit Alert service is monitoring your credit profile for any changes and will inform you of any changes. If you have not activated your Credit Alert service, please do so today.

*bbc.co.uk/news

Credit fraud continues to rise in 2010

The first three months of 2010 saw a 45% increase in cases where identity fraud was proven only after the product, claim or credit applied for was granted*.

Online fraud on the increase

Increased credit card security in shops (specifically chip and PIN) mean there is a move to more online fraud, with more than 51,000 attempts by criminals to steal an individual's identity and/or financial account details in 2009, a 16% increase over the previous year**.

This is an alarming trend, and the National Fraud Authority estimate that fraud in 2010 will cost the UK economy a staggering £30bn*.

* CIFAS, Fraud continues to pose problems in 2010
** UK Card Association: New Card and Banking Fraud Figures, March 2010

note *
CIFAS - The UK’s Fraud Prevention Service

note **
The UK Cards Association – Representing.Informing.Advancing