NewsCase StudiesEvents

Security Loophole Access to Credit Files

Also in the news...

Press release New plans revealed to help small firms and improve access to cash

New Fair Payments and Disability Finance Codes launched to support SMEs

Guidance Overseas business risk for Taiwan

Information on key security and political risks which UK businesses may face when operating in Taiwan.

Guidance Overseas business risk for Guinea

Information on key security and political risks which UK businesses may face when operating in Guinea.

Activities With Tax Reduction

It is of utmost importance to check, if according to law, the activities you carry out have any tax incentive for income tax purposes. The Income Tax Law in its Title VII - On Fiscal Incentives, indicates in each chapter those activities that enjoy reductions and facilities for the payment of their taxes. The activities are as follows:

How Organised Leave Planning Improves Workplace Efficiency

Efficient leave planning is essential for any organisation to maintain productivity and ensure employee satisfaction. When done effectively, it can prevent disruptions, foster collaboration, and promote a balanced work environment.

Security Loophole Access to Credit Files

Back to News

Access to personal credit reports is strictly controlled with legal requirements limiting who can search files. To be authorised to search someone else’s credit file requires the searcher to be registered under the Data Protection Act.

Having access to an online credit checking service is a standard part of the vetting procedure for many companies that deal with consumers. Companies with a licence to search consumers include high street mobile phone companies and letting agents, and stores and supermarkets that offer account and credit facilities.

Credit agencies that provide access to credit checks will screen each organisation that applies to open an account, and will ask the organisation to provide their Data Protection Number. Without a DPN, the application to run credit checks will be denied.

However First Report has seen an increase in fraudulent attempts to get around this. All organisations which are registered under the Data Protection Act can be searched online on the Data Protection Public Register, a public website which is designed to enable anyone to quickly verify the licence details of any registered organisation.

Entering just a single name or word is sufficient to return all organisations that have a similar name on the register. Each entry includes the Data Protection Registration Number, the type of licence held, and name and address details for the holder.

The availability of this data means that criminals can search the public register and record all the details shown. In the cases recorded by First Report, the applicant has registered a domain name that looks appropriate for a division or branch of the company, and then set up an email address at that domain. The scammers then apply to access credit files using all the legitimate information and the Data Protection Registration Number, and their own email address and phone number.

Criminals who attempt to access consumer credit files are commonly hoping to harvest personal information which can then be used for identity theft and fraud.

At First Report we have a detailed due diligence process and we have successfully stopped a number of attempts to gain access to personal credit data using this scam. We have reported this to the Office of the Information Commissioner.

You are not logged in!

Please login or register to ask our experts a question.

Login now or register.