Experian(R) and The Gallup Organization today announced that the latest Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index(SM) finds that about one in five consumers reporting theft of personal
or financial information say that the perpetrator was someone they knew personally. In addition, 77 percent of consumers polled think of credit card fraud as identity theft. More results for the Personal Credit Index can be found at http://www.PersonalCreditIndex.com.

"It's troubling to see the number of consumers who have been victimized by someone they knew," said Ed Ojdana, group president of Experian Interactive. "There are numerous ways consumers can help prevent fraud and identity theft from happening to them, and we are glad to see that most consumers are taking some type of action and being proactive in the fight against these crimes."

The poll also finds that about one in six consumers, 16 percent, report having had their financial information stolen, such as bank or credit card numbers. Separately, 12 percent report having had their personal information stolen, such as their Social Security number, driver's license or birth certificate.

Not everyone who reports these thefts has become a victim, however. Overall, about 13 percent of all consumers have experienced some monetary loss from having their financial or personal information stolen. That number includes 2 percent of consumers who have had a new credit card or bank account set up in their name, which is usually defined as identity theft. The other 11 percent can be classified as victims of financial fraud rather than identity theft.

Most consumers have taken some steps to avoid becoming victims, though they would do more if they knew what to do. Eighty-one percent of consumers say they shred financial documents or credit card offers before throwing them in the trash. "Shredding" probably means that consumers tear the documents into shreds rather than use a shredding machine. In addition, 52 percent say they regularly check their credit reports, and 46 percent are paying for antihacking software on their computers. About one in five, 19 percent, have purchased a credit monitoring product, and 11 percent have paid for identity theft insurance.

One factor that may deter some consumers from taking preventive steps is that they don't believe they are likely to become a victim, a view expressed by more than four in 10 consumers. Separately, about a third of consumers believe that no matter what they do, they can't prevent thieves from stealing their personal or financial information. Ten percent of consumers say that their credit is so poor, it doesn't matter if they try to protect their credit
or not.

Still, the polls shows that 74 percent of consumers say they would do more to protect themselves, if only they knew what to do.

In addition to the survey questions regarding fraud and identity theft, consumers also were asked about their credit situation. With gas prices reaching an all-time high and expected to continue their upward movement, consumers have become more cautious about their credit situation. The Personal Credit Index is now at 77, down 21 points from last month and at the
lowest level since its inception in March of this year.

"The decline was driven mostly by consumers' increased concern about making monthly payments, which is responsible for 10 points of the 21-point decline," said Dennis Jacobe, chief economist for The Gallup Organization. "Another major factor is their greater concern about being able to borrow money if needed, which is responsible for seven points of the decline."

Last month's increase in the Personal Credit Index was primarily the result of more positive consumer feelings about making their monthly payments, perhaps as a reflection of the fact that gas prices seemed to be leveling out and were even pulling back slightly from previous highs. The latest price increases have apparently eliminated those positive feelings.

More information about the Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index can be found on the official Web site at http://www.PersonalCreditIndex.com.

About the Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index

The Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index is based on a monthly nationwide survey of households and measures four key areas related to credit: level of debt, monthly payment burden, credit rating and debt extension capability. The sampling was conducted Aug. 15-21, 2005, and included 1,011 adults, 18 and over, randomly selected from across the country. The sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.

About The Gallup Organization
The Gallup Organization has studied human nature and behavior for more than 70 years. Gallup employs many of the world's leading scientists in management, economics, psychology and sociology. Gallup performance management systems help organizations increase customer engagement and maximize employee productivity through measurement tools, course work and strategic advisory services. Gallup's 2,000 professionals deliver services at client organizations, through the Web, at Gallup University's campuses and in 40 offices around the world.

About Experian
Experian is the global leader in providing value-added information solutions to organizations and consumers. It has an unrivaled understanding of individuals, markets and economies around the world. Experian provides information, analytics, decision-making solutions and processing services. It assists organizations in understanding their markets and customers and helps them find, develop and manage profitable customer relationships to make their
businesses more profitable. Experian promotes greater financial health among consumers by enabling them to understand, manage and protect their personal information and helping them control financial aspects of key life events. Experian works with more than 50,000 clients across diverse industries, including financial services, telecommunications, health care, insurance, retail and catalog, automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities, e-commerce,
property and government. A subsidiary of GUS plc with headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Costa Mesa, Calif., Experian's 12,000 people in 28 countries support clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales exceed $2.5 billion.

For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.experian.com.

The word "Experian" is a registered trademark in the United States, the EU and other countries and is owned by Experian Ltd. and/or its associated companies.