One in seven burglaries that took place last year was carried out solely to steal the homeowner’s personal details, a report claimed.
Identity burglary cost the UK an estimated £150 million in the past year alone, according to a home insurance provider.
It claimed the trend is set to rise sharply over the next five years with a quarter of all burglary victims now falling victim to ID fraud as a result of a break-in.
The survey said ‘bundles’ of personal identity documents can fetch £150 on the black market.
Among all break-ins, 74% now result in the theft of personal and financial documents such as credit cards, driving licences and bank statements, with 15% of victims being targeted specifically for documents containing their personal details.
The report revealed a credit card, coupled with a form of ID such as a bank statement, utility bill or National Insurance number, are prized items on the black market as they make it easier for fraudsters to steal an identity.
Individual identity documents can change hands for around £15.
A spokesperson explained: “As the trend for identity fraud increases, we would strongly urge homeowners to take appropriate measures to limit their chances of being targeted by thieves and fraudsters.
“As well as installing home security measures such as burglary alarms and security lights, homeowners should ensure they store personal documents securely and if possible separately to minimise the risk of ID theft.”
