It is a feeling familiar to more and more people.

A half-hearted glance at the mini-statement or net page while online checking your accounts reveals someone has been on a spree - and it wasn't you.

Or a request for credit is refused because you have outstanding debts for loans or catalogues you never took out.

Global Information Services company Experian has revealed there has been a 66 per cent leap in identity fraud cases - and Colchester is not escaping the clutches of one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country.

Experian says more than 6,000 victims sought its help during 2007.

Two years ago a survey by Creating Profitable Partnerships (CPP) revealed Colchester was the fourth worst area for identity fraud, only coming in behind Cambridge, Nottingham and Newport in Wales.

It is not just individuals being targeted - businesses are feeling the pinch of the faceless criminals prowling the area.

John Clayton, chief executive of Essex Chamber of Commerce, said the issue is as serious as it has ever been, despite a joint campaign with Essex Police two years ago.

He said the same messages sent out then need to be reissued now - and people should never be complacent.

"I don't think you can ever assume that something is safe. Every time we close down one avenue they are going to think of another way of getting personal details, so you have to be thinking all the time.

"There are obvious things people can do like shredding documents. All anyone needs is two utility bills with address details in order to get a credit card or take out a loan.

"If you are throwing away a piece of paper with an address on they are halfway there," he said.

He said it is surprising the number of people who would put an old passport in the bin without shredding it - not thinking about what a gift this could be for fraudsters.

"On that, there is an address, date of birth, signature and even a picture. It is madness to just throw it away," he said.

Essex Chamber of Commerce is warning people that the phenomenon is an international problem.

"You often find that money has been spent on stolen credit cards in Italy and France and places like that. It is not someone ripping you off down the road," said Mr Clayton.

In October, Det Insp Alan Stevens, Essex financial investigations officer, voiced the very same concerns, urging people to shred personal documents.

He said members of the public were making criminals lives too easy.

"We need to remind people to take a few simple steps to stop themselves becoming a target," he said, when the campaign was launched.

However, people are still falling foul of the scams - having their cards cloned, their bank accounts and credit cards tapped into, and families and people getting ready for Christmas were just some of the cases featured in the Gazette's pages last year.

Mr Clayton said it is a very real possibility that the increased use of the internet may be having an impact on the rise of identity fraud.

"Everyone needs to be vigilant. And there are reasons to be cheerful, we are finding that women are particularly good at acting on their instincts and realising things are not quite right and responding to them, particularly if it is in a busy office environment.

"It does have an impact on any business, even banks," he added.

Calvin Heal, crime reduction officer for Tendring, said while it is not considered "rampant" that does not mean people should let their guard down.

"More and more people are shredding documents, which is good, but the other things to think about are - is your computer wireless ?

If it is you should remember people could hack into that.

"Also, if you are moving house you should always remember to redirect your mail, or it could be used to defraud you.

Remember new credit and debit cards are sent through the post," he added.

Like all crimes, there are no quick-fix solutions, but with more and more people being caught out, now is the time to take any preventative measures possible.

Just in case.

HOW TO AVOID IDENTITY FRAUD

  • Regularly shred paper work before throwing it out with the rubbish - and don't ever put things with personal details straight in the bin
  • As often as possible check CreditExpert.co.uk Doing this enables you to quickly spot any unfamiliar activity on your credit report, such as a fraudulent loan application.
  • If you think someone has accessed your bank account, contact the bank immediately
  • Never let your credit card out of your possession, and contact your bank if you think you have been to an outlet which has cloned your card.
  • Don't ever confirm pin numbers over the phone - if someone asks for them they are not from a bank or building society and you should alert authorities
  • Always have a good check of ATM machines for anything odd about them - don't use it if it looks suspicious and report it to the police.