Thumbprint Protection against Identity Fraud

A shopper's brilliant idea to fight ID theft with a thumbprint has been adopted by Britain's top credit agency.

Consumer Jamie Jamieson has stunned the finance industry with his simple and 'foolproof' idea.  Millions of pounds have been spent researching new ways to protect your cash from ID crooks, but Jamie's thumbprint method beats them all.  It offers complete protection against crooks taking out credit in your name.  And it's free.

Jamie said, "All you have to do is send your thumbprint to Britain's three [main] credit reference agencies, Equifax, Experian and Callcredit, and tell them that applications in your name for financial products must be accompanied by your thumbprint or they should be treated as fraudulent.

"Lenders must take notice of this instruction.  If a lender gives out any type of credit in your name and your thumbprint was not on the application, you are not liable.  And it has to be your thumbprint - nobody else's will do".

Equifax boss Neil Munroe responded, "This is an excellent idea.  It offers people effective protection against fraud".

Equifax is now offering customers a form which they can fill in and return with a thumbprint if they wish to use the system.  This form is a Notice of Correction which is added to their credit file.  Lenders will always refer to this file before giving credit.

Destroy any documents showing your name, address or other details before throwing them away.

Jamie has launched the website freeidprotection.co.uk which details how you can proactively protect your identity from fraudsters.

Experian and Callcredit have also acknowledged that it's everyone's right to use the Notice of Correction facility to convey the 'thumbprint' instruction to lenders.

Robert Goodwill, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said, "Jamie's idea is brilliant - absolutely foolproof.  It is sad that the banking industry seems prepared to accept a certain amount of fraud rather than trying to find better ways of protecting people from it".

Mr Goodwill added, "I think banks and building societies should have leaflets in their branches advising people that they can do this to protect themselves".

ID theft is Britain's fastest-growing crime, soaring by 700 per cent in the last five years.

Jamie, of Scarborough, North Yorks, said,  "My method costs nothing except the price of three stamps and is effective for all lenders.  Everyone is welcome to use it.

"A small voluntary donation to Cancer Research UK or St. Catherine's Hospice, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, or any other charity would be appreciated".

Crime Reduction officer Sgt Andy Lockyer of Lincolnshire police stated, "Other people should become aware of this simple low-tech technique to prevent yourself becoming a victim".

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