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Shredders and ID cards help avoid ID theft, says Home Office


Home Office Minister Andy Burnham yesterday launched a leaflet advising the British public on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, and what action to take if you have been a victim of the crime.

Advert: Phishing conference, London, 27th October 2005According to the Home Office, identity theft, where personal information is obtained by someone else without the owner’s knowledge, affects more than 100,000 people each year in the UK. Often the information is used to open bank accounts, credit cards, or even to obtain benefits and services in the victim’s name.

Some of these risks take place online. There has been a marked increase in awareness of phishing attacks over the last 18 months. The conventional phishing attack involves sending emails that purport to come from a trusted brand, asking recipients to disclose their financial details.

According to the latest report from the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), the number of conventional phishing attacks actually dropped slightly in July this year – with 14,135 unique phishing reports made to the group, down from 15,050 in June.

However, the US-based industry group warned that there has been a marked increase in malicious software designed to steal identity information for financial crime. This new tactic involves the use of screenscraper technology to take a snapshot of the screen when the oblivious user keys in his details.

The Home Office points out that identity theft is not usually a high-tech crime: personal details can be found far more easily on cash receipts thrown in the bin, or by raking through the possessions of a family member.

The leaflet published yesterday by the Home Office therefore stresses the simple steps that people can take to protect themselves.

Top of the list is the shredding of personal documents such as bills, receipts and bank statements. An estimated one million personal shredders are sold each year as a result of public concern about identity fraud.

This is followed by a plug for national ID Cards. "The Government's plans to introduce a National Identity Cards scheme will help individuals to prove their identity and protect it from being misused or stolen by criminals," said Burnham.

The leaflet warns that you may be at risk of identity fraud if you lose or have stolen important documents such as your passport or driving licence, or if you don't receive post that you expect to, for example from a bank.

The Home Office cites research by credit reference agency Experian, which shows that the people most likely to be the victims of identity theft include young professionals and "middle-aged families" living in central London with office and service jobs. They are twice as likely to be victims of identity fraud.

People who earn over £60,000 are almost three times more likely to be victims of identity fraud, and those with settled families, living in the suburbs and with well-paid corporate careers are four times more likely to be victims of identity fraud.

The leaflets, produced by the Home Office Identity Fraud Steering Committee, will be available in main police stations, libraries, Citizen's Advice Bureaux, UK Passport Service regional offices and local DVLA offices.

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