£523 million cost of 'identity doppelgangers'

• 11 million Brits are 'identity doppelgangers’ registered at multiple addresses
• Fines, missed rebates and lost gifts just some of the consequences
• Almost one million have even fallen victim to fraud as a result
   

Direct Line Home Insurance removes fees for policy amendments and urges customers to check their details are up to date

New research1 from Direct Line Home Insurance highlights 11 million2 UK adults are registered at multiple addresses, with one in seven (15 per cent) of those admitting they are registered at more than three addresses. 

These ‘identity doppelgangers’ are missing out on vital communications, costing them in the region of £523 million3 through fines, missed rebates and lost gifts. Almost a million4 people have also been victim to fraud or crime due to not keeping address details up to date.

Sixteen per cent of people are registered at more than one address for their doctor, dentist or other medical services, meaning they are missing out on important health information and appointments. Additionally, nearly six million are registered at multiple addresses for the DVLA and 6.25 million for their bank, both of which could lead to identity fraud if communications are sent to incorrect addresses.

The most common reason for not updating a registered address is forgetting to do so, which accounts for a third of respondents (33 per cent). This is followed by still using the address occasionally (29 per cent) and not making the time/effort (15 per cent). Almost one in 10 (9 per cent) ‘identity doppelgangers’ cited cost as their reason for not updating their details.

Top five reasons for not updating address

Source: Direct Line, 2015

Katie Lomas, head of Direct Line home insurance, commented: “It’s alarming that such a significant number of people have an out of date registered home address. This is exacerbated by the findings that three in ten people are negatively affected as a consequence of forgetting to update them leading to a loss of income, gifts and important information.

“Direct Line wants to raise awareness of this issue as it is so simple to fix.  With cost is highlighted as a reason why people don’t update their addresses, Direct Line is responding by removing administration fees across all policy changes.”

This issue is more prevalent amongst those who have recently flown the nest, as the most common alternative registered address is a parent’s house (36 per cent). This is followed by a previous residence (23 per cent) and parent’s previous residence (nine per cent).

 ENDS

Notes to editors:

1 Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,003 UK adults aged 18+ from 20th to 23rd of February 2015. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

2 432 respondents said that for at least one of the items in the survey they were registered somewhere other than their home address. Out of 2,003 this is 21.6% of the sample. 21.6% of the UK adult population (50,502,000, ONS) would be 10,892,094 people.

3 Respondents were asked to estimate the financial cost of any issues caused by being registered at multiple addresses with the average of estimates being £75. 277 people were affected by this, equivalent to 13.8% of the sample and 6,984,051 people. Multiplied by £75 this gives a total of £522,903,098 as the cost.

4 33 people said that they had been the victim of fraud or crime due to not updating their registered address. As a percentage of the total sample this is 1.65%. 1.65% of the UK adult population is equivalent to 832,035 people. 


For further information, please contact: 

Timi Merriman-Johnson
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: 020 7282 2989
E-mail:  Timi.merriman-johnson@citigatedr.co.uk

Lucy Davies
PR Manager
Direct Line Group 
Tel: 01651 834446
 Email: lucy.davies@directlinegroup.co.uk

Direct Line
Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line. 

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com