Credit reporting service Noddle has found that one in six Facebook users in britain displays their complete name and address on a profile on the social networking website, as well as the company says this advice may be sufficient for cyber criminals to perform identity theft.

It means approximately four million men and women in britain could be at risk, Noddle promises.

John Cannon, the company’s fraud and ID manager, said: “Social media has become as much part of Christmas as tinsel, turkey and all of the trimmings.

“Yet, by sharing important information like your complete name, email address or date of birth – alongside your images of gifts, decorations or the tree – you can unwittingly be placing yourself in danger.

“If a fraudster has picked up undermined data, from something such as a data breach, then a fast scan of your public social networking profile might be all they have to verify who you should perpetrate fraud, or to start a persuasive phishing attack.

“Offenders can do it in the time it takes you to eat the very first course of your Christmas dinner.”

Mr Cannon included that tips posted on a profile to attempt to defraud account holders could be used by possible fraudsters.

“Nevertheless, fraudsters can use what you’ve posted or enjoyed on-line to catch you outside. By way of example, they are able to pose as a charity you’ve ‘enjoyed’ and request that you set up a direct debit to get your bank details.”

As a way to decrease the danger of cyber fraud, reinforce and Noddle has called on users to assess their privacy settings on social networking, in addition to reconsider the quantity of private info they have on a public profile.