The opt-out rate for the UK electoral roll has increased overall by 4.57% year on year, according to Equifax, rising from 32.14% in 2005 to 36.71% in 2006, meaning less people are allowing companies to use their personal details for identity verification purposes.
The edited electoral roll only includes individuals who have given permission for their personal data to be included. Equifax said any increase in the opt-out levels for the electoral roll could impact on consumer's chances of shopping online, completing money laundering checks and passing identity tests.
Neil Munroe, external affairs director at Equifax, said one of the main reasons for the highest yearly opt-out rates to date stemmed from local councils pre-ticking the opt-out box on electoral roll forms of voters who had opted out previously.
He added: "In addition, a growing number of consumers seem to believe that by opting out they are reducing the chance of receiving unwanted mail.
"However, by taking this action they are probably only making it more difficult to shop online and by mail order."
Munroe said the best way for consumers to reduce the chances of receiving unwanted direct mail was to register with the Mailing Preference Service.
Electorial roll opt-out levels varied greatly across the UK by region, with South Gloucestershire experiencing the biggest increase of 21.49% to 55.36% last year. Conversely, Salford dropped 28.54% to 32.43%.
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