Don't let a lost mobile cost you your identity.

Posted in 'Identity Theft' by Richard Catlin

08 December 2009

The number of mobile phones that are inadvertently left in the back of taxis or public places such as pubs and coffee shops is set to soar in December. A survey of black cab drivers revealed that as many as 10,000 phones are left on the back seat each month – and that number will increase in the next few weeks.

The rush for last minute presents and one too many drinks at Christmas parties will see even more phones – amongst other things – misplaced. As well as the inconvenience though, anyone who has been careless with the information stored on their mobile phone is putting themselves at an increased risk of identity theft.

The huge capabilities of smart phones mean that it’s possible to carry out most tasks that you would normally use a computer for – pretty much anything from accessing social networking sites such as Facebook to carrying out online banking and shopping.

But without proper protection, just a few basic details or passwords could play right into fraudster’s hands. A recent study found that the majority of consumers use passwords that are too easy to guess – often simple things like the name of a pet of child - and far too many people use the same one password for all their online activity.

Armed with a few basic details gleaned from a social networking site, an identity fraudster could soon have emptied a bank account and taken control of a mobile phone.

Our Free Identity Theft Check Service allows you to see whether you are more vulnerable than average, and which areas of your lifestyle might put you at risk. You can also see whether your own password habits are less secure than they should be.

And if you do use your phone to access websites that contain sensitive information, at least consider removing the auto-log-in, or add a ‘security code’ to the phone itself – making it that bit harder for criminals.

You should also take a minute to register your phone on immobilise.com, the UK National Property Register. You’ll stand a much better chance of getting your phone back if you lose it, and it will help with any insurance claim you need to lodge. It’s a completely free service, and isn’t just restricted to phones – you can register other property there too.

Get a free Identity Theft Risk Check