PHS Datashred

BBC programme highlights ID Fraud - Britain’s fastest growing ‘new’ crime

admin — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:30:59 +0000

BBC One is tonight screening a programme that highlights the serious issue of Identity Theft within the UK. “ID Fraud: they stole my life”, showing tonight at 9 pm, gives insight into how easy it is for thieves to defraud businesses and members of the public. PHS Datashred is pleased that the BBC is devoting an hour of prime time television to this issue, which can be avoided with careful destruction of confidential materials, as opposed to disposing of them with general waste. For businesses, these items can be as commonplace as branded stationery, financial information, signed documents and even uniforms.

PHS Datashred offers confidential shredding and destruction services, both on and off site, with mobile shredding vehicles available for a truly nationwide service. For further information or a quote, please email us or call Freephone 0800 376 4422.

For more information on PHS Datashred’s products and services, and a free booklet on how to avoid Identity Fraud, please click here to download our brochures.

“ID Fraud: they stole my life”: BBC One, 9.00 - 10.00 pm

The WEEE Directive

admin — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 23:58:48 +0000

The WEEE Directive – Whaaat? Sounds like something you’d get in amongst the Pamper advertisements! It is in fact the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. Issued, as you may expect with a monica like this, by the EC. On the one hand it is to encourage (indeed legislation) for the safe disposal of electronic and white goods. On the other hand, it is yet another tool for the price hikes on the high street for the goods we buy because we, the consumers, will be paying for the high street stores to safely dispose of our unwanted equipment. If you buy something, you can’t just dump it now. The definition of “e-waste” includes:

Large household appliances (ovens, refrigerators, etc)
Small household appliances (toasters, vacuum cleaners etc)
Office and communication (PCs, printers, telephones, fax machines, etc)
Entertainment electronics (TVs, Hi-fi’s, portable CD players, etc)
E-tools (drills, electric lawnmowers, etc)
Lighting Equipment (mainly fluorescent tubes)
Sports and leisure equipment (electronic toys, training machines etc)
Surveillance Equipment
Automatic issuing systems (ticket machines, etc)

So there: buy in haste, repent not on the scrap-heap! You almost have to be more careful disposing of the old equipment than you do buying the new!

The implications to businesses are huge. We all got used to the security aspect of not chucking out computer equipment and pre-programmed telephones etc, but now we have to consider the environment, the world and possibly the cosmos! A Nanny State, well possibly yes. But to be fair, with consumer spending increasing and with our need to have the very latest everything, there was always going to come a time when we need to put back the manufacturing and production resources. And that time, says the EC is NOW! As far as businesses are concerned, what can you do? Play it safe and get the expertise of a professional waste disposal company to take away the old stuff. So here we are, with another lot of legislation to which businesses have to abide, another cost on the operations bill, but remember: you are saving the planet! If you want expert advice e-mail Anthony@shredding.info - phs has been in the business of safe disposal for years, so their advice on and removal of electrical and electronic etc items is certain to keep you legal.

And if you are a consumer, well – ask at your local electrical store for advice. They probably won’t be able to help, but you will feel better. Alternatively, look out for those unfortunately named independent WEEE depots which are springing up around the place, they at least can relieve you – of your unwanted electrical items, at least!

If you want further info on this new EC directive (which is now law!) look at (links to be added)

Identity Fraud

Anthony — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 19:41:36 +0000

Sometimes when I open my bank statement or credit card bill I wish someone would nick my identity! They are welcome to the debts! On the other hand, I am fortunate enough to be able to pay my way, which I suppose if someone did steal my identity, might not always be the case.

It’s not so much the fact that someone has assumed your identity, but that they can destroy your credit rating. So next time you go to open a store account, apply for a new credit card or even go to sign up on a mobile phone contract, you could be subject to the ignominy of having your application declined. And you are innocent - despite the no doubt annoyingly ‘knowing’ smirk of the sales person as they tear up your application. It happened to a friend of mine. On a healthy salary and with money in the bank, she couldn’t understand why she was refused – loudly and with an interested queue of shoppers behind her – for a store card. She decided to check her credit rating and found that she had become a victim of identity fraud. Go on line at www.callcredit.co.uk, www.experian.co.uk or www.equifax.co.uk and check out your position. Keep a glass of something restorative close to hand - just in case!

You can protect yourself against Identity Fraud and save yourself from that ice-cold feeling that you get when finding you have unwittingly become a financial outcast. Simple steps to protect yourself include shredding all credit card bills, bank statements, utility bills and anything with any information about you on it. Watch your use of debit/credit cards at ATM’s, electronic paying systems – and of course, on the web. Don’t lose sight of your plastic cards, your driving licence or your passport.

If you are in business, then be extra vigilant. And get the message home to your staff. Letter headed paper, old sales invoices, petty cash slips – anything with information can be used to access company records without you even knowing it. You could be trading in God knows what sort of commodity half way round the world, or borrowing vast sums of money. And these might not be the diversification or expansion plans you quite had in mind. Have a look at www.shredding.info/whats_new.htm. Phs has sponsored a brochure which tells you all you need to know to protect yourself, family and business from Identity Fraud. It contains loads of information, an introduction from the Met Police and has all the contact details you will ever need should you fall victim to this loathsome crime. Copies are available from Anthony@shredding.info

If you’ve had experience of ID Fraud, let us know. Not because we want to gloat, but it’s good to share. There is still a stigma attached to having credit declined, or finding your bank balance wiped to zero. It’s nothing to be ashamed of – as criminals get cleverer we have to fight back harder to protect ourselves. Tell us if it’s happened to you.