What is Identity Fraud?
There are two sides to the problem: • Traditionally the first is where a thief steals an individuals actual identity, perhaps through stealing cheque books, personal bills, or details through open source checks (internet, births & deaths registers etc). Such details may allow the thief to open bank accounts, gain credit cards, loans, state benefits, or simply to take over the victim’s existing accounts. The details may also be used to obtain genuine documents such as passports and driving licenses in that individual’s name. • The second part of the problem is the use of false identities to commit fraud. What is the extent of the problem? Generally the two issues above have been grouped together making it difficult to identify the extent of the problem.The 2002 Cabinet Office Study, which covered the use of false identities and the theft of other people’s identities, estimated that crime facilitated by identity fraud cost the UK £1.3 billion per annum. The Home Office Identity Fraud Ste
