Altrincham in Cheshire has been identified as the top location for identity fraud outside London.
The global information services company Experian has revealed that the Cheshire town recorded 13 fraud attempts for every 10,000 adults, with residents targeted at over three times the national average.
The perhaps surprising appearance of green and leafy Cheshire at the top of this list should act as a warning to conveyancers to be vigilent against fraud, regardless of where their clients are.
The figures compare to 11 attempts per 10,000 adults for London as a whole.
Some inner-city boroughs like East Ham where significantly higher, with recorded 27 fraud attempts for every 10,000 adults in 2012.
Experian’s research revelaed that identity fraud victims are being targeted from more affluent towns in the vicinity of the UK’s major cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and London.
Nick Mothershaw, UK&I director of identity & fraud at Experian, said: “It comes as no surprise that the Capital remains a target for third-party fraudsters — particularly around densely populated inner-city boroughs where identities are easier to steal.
“However, fraudsters are clearly attracted to rich pickings in more affluent areas, where access to an identity might be harder to obtain but the prize makes it worth the extra effort.
“In this respect, more affluent locations in close proximity to major cities such as Altrincham in Cheshire, Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, Hatfield and St Albans by London, have become key targets for identity thieves.”
