The 'real' cost of a lost handbag
Women are carrying around too much personal information in their handbags and are leaving themselves open to identity theft, according to research by Sheilas' Wheels home insurance, if their bag was either lost or snatched[1].
Almost two thirds of all women's handbags contain at least one item that could be used to steal their owner's identity: nearly half contain a diary with personal details; a quarter have a cheque book; one in eight women carry utility bills in their handbags - one of the most useful 'proof of identity' documents for fraudsters - while 7 per cent admit to carrying around their passport on a regular basis.
With the average value of a handbag and its contents estimated at £290[2], the real cost of having a handbag stolen is likely to be much more as identity theft in the UK has now topped £1.7 billion[3] per year.
It’s important for women to take steps to protect their personal information at all times. The survey revealed that one in three women (36 per cent) admit they carry around too much and never bother to clear out their handbag. This lack of 'decluttering' their personal items - fuelled by the growth in size of celebrity 'must have' handbags - leaves women vulnerable to opportunistic identity thieves if their bag is snatched from their arm or their car.
Sheilas' Wheels urges women to change their bag habits by carrying around only the bare essentials, leaving important documents at home, choosing a secure bag, and remaining vigilant whilst out and about, and in their cars:
- Choose a 'safe' handbag - a handbag with buckles or other secure fastenings will make it more difficult for criminals to access. Always use inner compartments and zipped pockets for valuable items.
- Only carry around what you need - declutter your bag regularly and don't carry around documents containing personal information that may be used to steal your identity.
- Carry your handbag securely - choose a bag with a long strap so you can wear it diagonally across your chest.
- Keep your bag out of sight whilst driving - alarmingly over a quarter of women (26 per cent) drive with their car doors unlocked and their handbag on the passenger seat. Never do this - use your foot well, glovebox, or put your bag under the seat.
Jacky Brown at Sheilas' Wheels home insurance, commented: "Losing a bag and its contents not only creates the obvious problem of loss of cash and credit cards, but can lead to identity theft. With the size of fashionable handbags on the up, it's crucial to only carry around the bare essentials and declutter regularly. Ridding bags of items such as old utility bills, post and cheque books could reduce the risk of having your identity stolen if your handbag is snatched."
Sheilas' Wheels home insurance offers free online access to the CreditExpert identity theft and fraud detection service - provided by Experian[4] - with either buildings or contents cover. Experian will monitor credit reports and provide alerts to help customers detect potential fraudulent activity. Sheilas' Wheels car insurance offers handbag cover which provides up to £300 of cover for handbags and its contents if stolen from the car[5].
-ends-
About Sheilas’ Wheels home insurance:
Sheilas' Wheels provides both buildings and contents cover - with a contents no claim discount
- Free online access to the CreditExpert identity fraud detection and assistance service provided by Experian. Experian will monitor the customer's credit report and send them alerts by text or email whenever there's a significant change in their credit record. If someone does steal the customer's identity and their credit record is affected, Experian will help and guide them through the process of restoring their credit record. This cover is available with either buildings or contents cover, to the first named policyholder.
- Alternative accommodation if utilities in the home, such as gas, water and electricity are lost due to events such as flooding and can not be lived in - for contents and / or buildings cover.
- New for old cover on clothes - reductions for wear and tear are not applied for clothing stolen or destroyed in the home (contents cover).
- Family legal protection - Free to policyholders for one year when bought online. For £18.99 policyholders receive up to £50,000 of cover for legal assistance. It also provides assistance in finding emergency registered childminders while the insured person is attending jury service, and legal representation for a customer's child if they do not gain entry to the school of their choice.
- Pest cover - optional additional cover for the removal of grey squirrels, wasps, and hornets' nests, rats and mice from the home at just £1.67 per month.
- Optional Home emergency cover - cover for the call out charge and up to 2 hours labour and up to £100 (inc VAT) for parts and materials, and subject to an overall limit of £500 (inc VAT).
- For an additional premium, personal possessions cover away from the home provides cover for accidental loss, damage and theft of personal possessions that are temporarily removed from the home.
- Unlimited rebuilding sum insured.
- High market limits for contents in the garden - up to £2,500.
- High market limits for contents in outbuildings - up to £5,000.
Terms and conditions apply to Sheilas' Wheels home insurance
Sheilas' Wheels press contacts:
Asia Manzoor, Public Relations Officer: 01737 641305
Niki Bolton, Corporate Communications Manager: 01737 235070
Emma Lloyd, Assistant Communications Officer: 01737 641309
Adrian Webb, Head of Corporate Communications: 01737 641000
Email: pr@sheilaswheels.com
Visit the official fansite for Sheilas’ Wheels: www.ilovesheilas.com
An ISDN line is available for radio interviews.
Case studies are available on request.
Notes to Editors:
(1) ICM interviewed a random sample of 527 females aged 18+ by telephone across the country between 24th and 27th February 2006. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all UK adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk
(2) ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 480 female adults aged 18+ by telephone between 14-15 September 2005. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all UK adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk
(3) Source: Cabinet Office, 2006
http://www.identity-theft.org.uk/ID fraud table.pdf
(4) Free online access to the CreditExpert identity fraud detection and assistance service provided by Experian. Experian will monitor the customer's credit report and send them alerts by text or email whenever there's a significant change in their credit record. If someone does steal the customer's identity and their credit record is affected, Experian will help and guide them through the process of restoring their credit record. This cover is available to the first named policyholder.
(5) Comprehensive cover only.
About Sheilas' Wheels:
Sheilas' Wheels was launched in October 2005 to offer women drivers cheaper car insurance and female targeted product enhancements. In February 2008, the brand moved beyond car insurance to also offer home insurance with product enhancements including free online access to the CreditExpert identity fraud detection and assistance service, alternative accommodation (buildings and contents cover) in the event of loss of utilities in the home (terms and conditions apply), new for old cover on clothes (contents cover) and family legal protection cover which also includes assistance in finding emergency registered childminders while the insured person is attending jury service, and legal representation for a customer’s child if they do not gain entry to the school of their choice (terms and conditions apply).
Sponsorship:
Sheilas' Wheels sponsors the ITV National Weather: "Whether skies are grey or blue, Sheilas' Wheels could cover you."
