LOSING YOUR WALLET CAN COST YOU MORE THAN YOUR SPARE CHANGE

True cost of losing your wallet revealed by Capital One
 

Over 46 million Brits (93% of the adult population*) leave home everyday carrying enough information to allow a crafty criminal to steal their identity according to new research by Capital One**. Driving licences, bank statements and medical records are just a few of the personal details that we are carrying around in our wallets everyday which, if in the wrong hands, can leave us vulnerable to identity theft.
 

When asked what personal information we carry in our wallets, the research showed:
 

• 43.5 million people carry around credit and/or debit cards
• 24.5 million of us carry around their driving licence
• 23.5 million carry old receipts
• 1 million of us keep bank statements in our wallets
• 4 million carry around medical cards/records
• 8 million keep business cards in our wallets
• 1.5 million carry around payslips

 

Professor Martin Gill Criminologist from Perpetuity, a division of the University of Leicester said: "Identity theft is a serious issue, and one that can leave us exposed to a range of crimes. Would-be thieves only need a few snippets of information to start stealing an identity. By getting hold of personal information such as our address, bank details and date of birth a canny criminal can begin to create chaos within a matter of hours applying for credit cards, securing loans, buying a mobile phone, applying for benefits for example - all under the stolen identity."
 

Sanjiv Yajnik, Principal Managing Director, Capital One says: "We'd urge everyone to have a thorough clean-out of their wallets and handbags to ensure they are only carrying the essentials. By taking a few simple steps we can protect ourselves against the risk of identity theft."
 

By using a common sense approach, people can protect their wallets and themselves:
 

• In the event of losing or having your wallet stolen, immediately contact your card issuers to cancel credit and debit cards
• Avoid carrying your passport or driving licence with you as a matter of course, and if you do lose them, or have them stolen, notify the issuing body as soon as possible
• Don't carry receipts or bank statements in your wallet " either file them away securely or dispose of them by shredding
• Get regular copies of your personal credit file from a credit reference agency so you can be sure you have not fallen victim to ID theft

 

Yajnik adds: "Anyone suffering from identity theft knows the stress and strain it can inflict, that's why Capital One offers a named adviser for customers to provide advice and help at every stage of the resolution process. We are on-hand to help in every way possible."
 

For more information on Capital One's identity fraud resolution service, please visit www.capitalone.co.uk
 

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Contact:

Sally Camm / Becky Paterson Capital One 0115 843 3676 / 6484

Elizabeth Bickham / Rowena Denham Fishburn Hedges 020 7893 4321

Notes to Editors:
*Research conducted by YouGov of a representative sample of 2331 GB adults between 31st May and 4th June 2007.
**Based on population stats from ONS and census data
 

**Identity and Passport Service data, January 2007
 

Identity theft is one of the UK's fastest growing crimes. By obtaining somebody's personal details a fraudster can apply for credit cards, loans and other financial products in their name. They can also obtain mobile phone contracts, driving licences or even passports. The unpaid debts subsequently accrued are then lodged in the innocent person's name. Ultimately, this can lead to encounters with debt collectors, court actions and problems getting a mortgage or even a job.
 

Capital One can help its customers to protect themselves against the perils of ID theft, and to pick up the pieces if they do get caught out. Its newly updated ID theft service is the only one of its kind to provide a named adviser to provide help at every stage if a cardholder discovers they have been a victim of ID Theft. The service can also offer advice on preventing ID theft for any cardholders who want to ensure they are doing all they can to protect their ID.
 

• A named advisor
• Advice and assistance in the event of ID theft to resolve the case including guidance in who to contact at other financial institutions and relevant organisations
• Advice guide containing ID theft prevention tips and early-warning signs

 

About Capital One:
Capital One Financial Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1996 Capital One launched its first overseas operation in the UK offering credit cards, savings and loan products to UK customers. The UK Operations Centre for Capital One Bank (Europe) plc is located in Nottingham, where more than 2,000 Associates are based. Capital One is a top-ten credit card issuer in both the USA and the UK, with more than four million UK customers. Capital One's subsidiaries collectively have approximately 50 million managed accounts and $142 billion in managed loans. The Bank has won numerous industry awards for its products and services as well as accolades for its consistent work within the communities in which it operates.
 

Capital One has consistently provided market-leading consumer-lending products to its customers. In the UK Capital One was among the first credit card issuers to offer a 0% introductory purchase rate, combining this with one of the lowest 'go-to' rates on the market. Capital One is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.