‘Epidemic’ of ID fraud reaches 500 cases a day

‘Easier for the fraudster’

MEMBERS of the public are having their identities stolen by criminals at ‘epidemic’ levels, figures revealed yesterday.

Identity fraud is taking place at a record of nearly 500 cases a day – with the majority of scams online. Experts say the UK is facing a crimewave of credit card and banking fraud, mail, phone and online scams, and computer crime.

Statistics gathered by the fraud prevention body Cifas show 89,201 identity frauds were registered from January to June this year – a record figure and up 5 per cent on the corresponding 84,863 cases in 2016. Some 83 per cent of the scams logged in the first six months of this year occurred via the internet – reinforcing calls for people to bolster their personal cyber-security.

Cifas said criminals were ‘relentlessly’ targeting consumers and businesses by applying for loans, online shopping, telecoms and insurance products in their names.

Victims often do not realise they have been targeted until a bill arrives or they have problems with their credit rating.

Cifas chief executive Simon Dukes said: ‘The vast amounts of personal data available either online or through data breaches is only making it easier for the fraudster.’

ONLY yesterday, this paper warned that mass branch closures were leaving bank customers increasingly vulnerable to cyber crime by forcing them to go online. Today, it emerges that 500 identity frauds are reported in the UK every day. Of these, four fifths are perpetrated on the internet, while more than half target bank accounts and plastic cards. Banks must reconsider branch closures – before criminals force them to think again.