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08/10/2008
ID Thieves Target Bank Accounts
Identity thieves are targeting existing bank and credit card accounts as the credit crunch has made it more difficult to use fake identities due to enforced restrictions.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Identity Fraud said tighter lending regulations have deterred fraudsters from trying to use fake details to create a bank account or take out a loan.
The group also warned that thieves are instead targeting existing accounts.
"There is no longer a guarantee that they will get credit by applying assuming another person's identity, so they are instead tapping into accounts which already exist," the report said.
MPs also warned the 2012 Olympics will present a "golden" opportunity for ID fraud, and have urged the government to give the information commissioner powers to take action to prevent the threat.
Identity thieves often try to steal personal details by sending random emails that claim to come from a legitimate source, and ask the reader to confirm account information. The information is then used in so-called "phishing" attacks to take money from the person's account.
Fraudsters are also behind a rise in card cloning - where credit or debit card details are copied on a bogus card.
The report said people earning more than £50,000 per year are more likely to be targeted.
The Home Office estimates ID fraud cost the UK economy £1.7bn in 2006.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The government is committed to tackling the harm caused by identity fraud, which causes distress ad harm to individuals and their families when identities are stolen by criminals to facilitate fraud."
(JM)
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Identity Fraud said tighter lending regulations have deterred fraudsters from trying to use fake details to create a bank account or take out a loan.
The group also warned that thieves are instead targeting existing accounts.
"There is no longer a guarantee that they will get credit by applying assuming another person's identity, so they are instead tapping into accounts which already exist," the report said.
MPs also warned the 2012 Olympics will present a "golden" opportunity for ID fraud, and have urged the government to give the information commissioner powers to take action to prevent the threat.
Identity thieves often try to steal personal details by sending random emails that claim to come from a legitimate source, and ask the reader to confirm account information. The information is then used in so-called "phishing" attacks to take money from the person's account.
Fraudsters are also behind a rise in card cloning - where credit or debit card details are copied on a bogus card.
The report said people earning more than £50,000 per year are more likely to be targeted.
The Home Office estimates ID fraud cost the UK economy £1.7bn in 2006.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The government is committed to tackling the harm caused by identity fraud, which causes distress ad harm to individuals and their families when identities are stolen by criminals to facilitate fraud."
(JM)
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Tax Credit Fraud Target Off By £5bn
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Identity fraud rising in the UK
A quarter of British adults have had their identity stolen or know someone who has been a victim of identity fraud, a survey by consumer watchdog Which? has revealed. As part of the survey a Which? researcher conducted an experiment to prove how simple it was to 'steal' another person's identity.
Identity fraud rising in the UK
A quarter of British adults have had their identity stolen or know someone who has been a victim of identity fraud, a survey by consumer watchdog Which? has revealed. As part of the survey a Which? researcher conducted an experiment to prove how simple it was to 'steal' another person's identity.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A generally dry and bright day with some sunny spells. However, thicker cloud could give patchy rain at first near North Channel coasts, perhaps the odd shower breaking out in the west later in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Any showers in the west soon dying out, dry for most with some clear spells. Showery outbreaks of rain could develop across parts of the south overnight. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
