Companies urged to focus on data protection during National Scams Awareness Month

Research shows that around three million UK consumers lose a total of £3.5 billion every year, with scams taking the form of bogus and fraudulent offers sent by post, telephone, email or text. 47 per cent of all frauds in 2010 were identity frauds – approximately 100,000 cases.* The national campaign leads to a heightened public awareness about the safety of personal information and, as a result, organisations in all sectors are under increased pressure to ensure they are doing everything to maximise the security of customer data.

Startlingly, fraudsters need very little information in order to steal your identity. This can include bank statements, the security code on the back of credit card, your PIN, driving license or passport or online banking information.

As a result of this increased pressure, many companies now outsource the storage and management of consumer information to minimise the risks of having the information poached by fraudsters. Records management companies provide this solution, offering a safe house for original information which can be stored in secure vaults as well as providing media tape storage for electronic backups of data.

David Woolley, Development Director of Wincanton Records Management (WRM), the UK and Ireland's fastest growing records management company comments: "The awareness that campaigns such as National Scams Awareness Month generate means consumers are more aware than ever on the importance of safeguarding their personal information. As a result, companies must now ensure they are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of consumer data."

He continues: "There is a real opportunity for companies to portray themselves as going above and beyond the basic criteria by taking measures to ensure data safety. Companies should consider outsourcing the management of their customer data as the most secure form of information storage. Being able to prove their customer data is securely protected could lead to a competitive advantage which, in the current economic climate, is invaluable."

National Scams Awareness Month runs from 1 – 29 February 2012.

For more information, please visit http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/consumer-protection/campaign11-12/scams/ and for more information on WRM, please visit www.wincantonrm.co.uk or call 0870 90 88 000.

For all media enquiries, please contact Rebecca Riley or Lindsey Bertram at Voice Communications 01376 460060 / rebecca@voicecommunications.co.uk

Notes to editors:

*Source: http://www.protectmyid.co.uk/identityfraudfacts.aspx

Wincanton Records Management (WRM) has over 20 years' experience in record management.

WRM offers the ideal solution for document storage. By providing off-site storage solutions for both live and archive documents, the company frees up valuable space in customers’ workplace’s which can be better used for business growth activities.

WRM offers a full range of records management services including secure document storage – at box, file from, open file and vital document levels - off-site data protection, on-site confidential secure shredding, scanning, image hosting and EDM solutions, in-house file tracking and space management, software solutions as well as consultancy services.

The WRM facilities are equipped with some of the highest standards of security and fire protection in Europe including very early smoke detection (VESDA), in-aisle and in-racking sprinkler systems, secure vaults with gas suppressions and temperature and humidity controlled environments, round-the-clock security, laser beam monitored perimeter fencing, highly sophisticated intruder alarms, dual-door airlock entry, electronic access pass entry and digital motion CCTV including night time visibility.

WRM provides services to a number of different industry sectors, including banking and financial services, legal, public sector and local government, healthcare, business services, professional services, pharmaceutical, retail services and energy.www.wincantonrm.co.uk