Identity fraud climbs 9.6% in 2010

Monday, 18 October 2010 12:00

Recorded cases of identity fraud rose by 9.68 per cent in the first nine months of the year compared with the corresponding period of 2009, a new report has found.

Figures from fraud prevention service Cifas show its members detected almost 80,000 incidents of the crime between January and September.

Over the same period, there were also more than 70,000 cases of impersonation - up 18.38 per cent on the opening nine months of 2009.

Takeover fraud, where criminals use personal details to abuse legitimate accounts, remained at roughly the same level, with more than 16,000 incidents recorded.

There has been a 20 per cent increase in the crime over the past two years, Cifas noted.

Richard Hurley, the organisation's communications manager, said part of the rise in identity theft and impersonation is down to the internet offering anonymity to fraudsters.

"Criminals no longer need physical access to your details in order to attack your sense of self and wellbeing, as they will also target you in the digital domain," he commented.

According to the National Fraud Authority, identity fraud affects over 1.8 million people a year and costs an estimated £2.7 billion.

• Tags:
• news