BBC NEWS | Business | Personal data privacy 'at risk' * Home * News * Sport * Radio * TV * Weather * Languages Low graphics | Accessibility help One-Minute World News News services Your news when you want it News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Market Data Economy Companies Health Science & Environment Technology Entertainment Also in the news ----------------- Video and Audio ----------------- Programmes Have Your Say In Pictures Country Profiles Special Reports RELATED BBC SITES * SPORT * WEATHER * ON THIS DAY * EDITORS' BLOG Last Updated: Thursday, 21 February 2008, 10:42 GMT E-mail this to a friend Printable version Personal data privacy 'at risk' Personal information is stored on 700 databases Millions of people are leaving themselves open to identity theft when using social networking websites, according to the consumer group Which? Members of sites such as Facebook can join large networks which reveal personal information to thousands of others on the network. Which? says people are at a greater risk of being targeted by fraudsters than they think. On average, UK residents' details are held on about 700 databases. Which? says that fraudsters can use the internet to gather personal information which could then be used to trick people into revealing Pin numbers and other security information. These could then be used by conmen to apply for credit cards or loans in somebody else's name. Burglars could also benefit from such information, it says. Risk from "friends" Personal profiles that may include a date of birth, contact details or links to family and friends can often be seen by thousands of people in a Facebook network if users stick with the default privacy setting. PERSONAL DATA TIPS Regularly check your credit file Check bank statements thoroughly Immediately cancel lost or stolen cards Shred unwanted documents Never share bank details following an unexpected request Install up-to-date security software Understand privacy settings on social networking websites "Facebook encourages users to customise their security settings to a level they are comfortable with," a Facebook spokesman told Which? The Information Commissioner's Office is investigating why personal information remains on Facebook's computers after users have deactivated their accounts. Awareness of identity fraud has increased since the high-profile loss of government disks containing personal data. But, unlike government departments and public bodies, private companies are under no obligation to admit to security breaches. Easy access To test how easy it would be to find personal data about somebody on publicly accessible websites, Which? asked a researcher to investigate editor Neil Fowler. Using only Mr Fowler's name and occupation, the researcher was able to find out details including the names of close family members and the floorplans to his home, including access points. "It was a real shock to see how much personal information about me could be found online, which could potentially be used by crooks to commit fraud," said Mr Fowler. "We all need to take steps to protect our data - both online and offline - by being more aware of how our personal data could be used and taking care who we share it with." E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: * Delicious * Digg * reddit * Facebook * StumbleUpon What are these? CONSUMER RIGHTS LATEST NEWS Airlines dispute passenger rights Warning over eBay bidding trick UK savings 'lowest in 40 years' Lycatel investigated by regulator Secondhand motor dealers shamed ANALYSIS AND GUIDES Ash aftermath: Making a complaint How to complain about financial services Changing lifestyles and your finances Q&A: Buying a used car Do surveys reflect our lifestyle? More stores are in for a pound Tips for passengers of failed airlines Do legal messages make a difference? Five useful consumer laws 'It sounded convincing' IN PICTURES Fake trade Dangerous gifts found by UK trading standards officers. RELATED INTERNET LINKS Which? The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP BUSINESS STORIES Strong demand boosts Intel profit Rio resumes Australia investment Unemployment dips to 2.47 million MOST POPULAR STORIES NOW * MOST SHARED * MOST READ * Tourists flock to 'Jesus's tomb' in Kashmir Most popular now, in detail * MOST SHARED * MOST READ * BBC News * BBC News * BBC News * BBC News * BBC News * BBC News * BBC News * BBC News * BBC News * BBC News Most popular now, in detail FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS Ghost town Has China's housing bubble burst? The guerilla plant How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire Walking away Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit PRODUCTS & SERVICES * E-mail news * Mobiles * Alerts * News feeds * Podcasts * BBC Copyright Notice MMIX * Back to top ^^ * Help * Privacy and cookies policy * News sources * About the BBC * Contact us * Advertise with us