The London street where your ID is most in danger

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Experts said identity crime had soared 66 per cent in a year, with fraudsters targeting some of London's most sought-after postcodes.

Areas in west London are among the worst affected, including fraud hotspots in Kensington, Richmondupon-Thames, Putney, Wimbledon and the Kings Road area of Chelsea where residents are up to three-anda-half times more likely to fall victim compared with the UK average.

People living in the SW17 6 postal area, which centres on College Gardens in Wandsworth Common, south-west London, are more at risk than any other address in Britain. Residents there are almost five times more likely than the average to become a victim of identity fraud.

Other high risk areas include South Hampstead and Canary Wharf.

The research, by credit rating agency Experian, found London's ID fraud hubs are at risk because of their high-spending, mobile populations. According to its fraud dossier, their residents are more likely to use high-class restaurants, clubs and other venues that the fraudsters are likely to target to obtain information.

They also have large proportions of "higher value" or "easy prey" victims who are more likely to rent out or live in rented property, to share mail boxes and use the internet.

Analysis of more than 10,000 identity fraud cases found the typical victim will be aged between 26 and 45 and earn more than £50,000 a year.

The Information Commissioner's Office said protecting personal information "has never been so important". A spokesman said: "We encourage individuals to think about the ways in which they can protect their personal information, which include shredding old documents and using different passwords and PINs for different accounts.

"It is also important that organisations which process personal information take their data protection responsibilities seriously."

Helen Lord, Experian director of fraud and compliance, said: "The rate of identity fraud growth is worrying. Although some people are statistically more likely to become a victim, we should all be concerned.

"We are all potential victims."