BASINGSTOKE has seen the greatest rise in identity fraud in the UK, according to a new report.

The data, which comes from the credit information firm Experian, puts Basingstoke 11th in a list of UK identity fraud hotspots in the UK for 2010.

Reports of identity theft in the town have risen from 31 in 2009 to 118 in 2010, an increase of 281 per cent – the highest year-on-year percentage increase in the country.

Seven areas of London make-up the top 10 fraud hotspots, while the list also includes commuter towns such as Reading, High Wycombe and Ilford. Basingstoke is next on the list at 11.

Notable identity fraud cases in Basingstoke last year include those of Moganraj Ayyappan, 39, and 28-year-old Murugan Lingam. The pair, who were of no fixed address, stole more than £330,000 using the identities of members of the Indian community in Basingstoke that they had befriended, and received four-year and two-year jail terms respectively in January.

Nationally, cases of fraud in the UK have risen by 11 per cent, including increases in attempted mortgage fraud and first-party fraud – when an individual lies about their circumstances to secure credit.

Experian spokesman Ben Dobson said it is not clear why Basingstoke has seen the highest rise in identity fraud, but added that their data shows that scammers are turning their attention to commuter towns outside London.

He said: “Identity fraud tends to be a mixture of organised gangs, such as scams on cash machines, but also quite a lot of people have fraud committed against them by people they know.

“People are also publishing personal details on social network internet sites like Facebook, giving away information such as dates of birth and their mother’s maiden name.”

Among those most at risk are young professionals who live in flats and shared accommodation and unwillingly expose their personal details when they move home and use the Internet.

Graham Hatcher, chief executive officer at Basingstoke Citizens Advice Bureau, said that the Festival Place-based group advises people not to reveal their bank and credit card PINs, to shred all payment receipts and only use secure websites when paying for products online.

He said: “Identity theft is something that we are very much aware of and we do get inquiries. It is something over which people should take care.”

l Have you been a victim of identity fraud? Contact the newsdesk on 01256 337444 or e-mail newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk.