Identity theft goes mainstream - will it raise awareness?

Posted in 'Identity Theft' by Richard Catlin

24 June 2010

A new ITV drama on identity fraud – imaginatively entitled ‘Identity’ – starts this month, centred on a specialist police unit formed to combat identity theft. The six part series follows the officers and reveals some of the horror stories that can emerge from identity fraud.

The producers of the series, starring Keeley Hawes, use a great deal of creative license, glamorously describing the force as "...an elite Identity Unit who tackle the dark side of reinvention", but the subject matter is worryingly true to life. It’s just a great pity that no such specialist identity theft unit actually exists, despite claims from the Home Office in 2006 that the crime cost the UK over £1.7bn every year.

In the absence of police targets being attached to this crime, identity fraud has exploded in recent years, with the number of cases increasing year-on-year, particularly exacerbated by the recession. The first quarter of 2010 saw a near 20% increase in the number of recorded cases compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by CIFAS.

In addition to the more obvious financial objectives of identity criminals, including opening fraudulent accounts or manipulating existing ones (know as facility takeover), identity fraud can often lead to more serious crimes. People trafficking, drug trafficking, serious crime rings and even terrorism can often be related back to large-scale identity fraud in the UK.

Despite the increased activity by identity fraudsters, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your chances of falling victim in the first place.

You can find all of these, plus expert advice on exactly what you need to do if you are unlucky enough to fall victim in our industry-acclaimed handbook, Identity Theft – Prevention and Victim Assistance. Described by the Institute of Credit Management as “invaluable to anyone who values their identity, no stone is left unturned’, the handbook is available at the specially discounted price of £4.99 including packing and postage here. Even if you don’t need it right now, it’s a great thing to have ready to hand should the worst happen.

You can also check whether your lifestyle is leaving you vulnerable to fraudsters, by using our absolutely free Identity Theft Check Service. We will highlight any areas where you might not be doing everything you should, and what you can do to protect yourself. Most steps recommended cost nothing at all, just a few minor changes to how you deal with everyday life.

Check for free now