OAPs victims of identity theft
TWO East Devon pensioners have become victims of identity theft - after £4,000 was stolen from their credit card.
The husband and wife, who do not want to be identified, only became aware of the theft after their credit card was refused when they tried to pay for goods.
The couple, both 71, said they were unaware their account had been tapped into - and are warning people to protect themselves against similar fraudsters.
The couple had been shopping when they first realised something was wrong.
After trying to pay for items with the card and being turned down by the shop's card reader, the pair tried to draw out cash from a Tesco cash-point machine - only to be told they had 'no funds' in the account.
The couple contacted their bank and were told their card had been used six times in one day on the internet to buy goods totalling £4,000 from a retailer selling books, electrical goods and DVDs.
They were relieved to be told their card protection plan covered identity theft and would cover the stolen money.
Said the couple: "It was frightening and we were upset. It was like being burgled. It shook us up because we thought we would have to pay the bill. The theft wasn't necessarily carried out locally. It could have been carried out anywhere."
The Home Office said people could be victims of ID theft and not realise. "Criminals commit ID theft by stealing your personal information," said a spokesman.
"This is often done by taking documents from your rubbish or by making contact with you and pretending to be from a legitimate organisation."
More information is available at www.identity-theft.org.uk
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