Last year saw the highest ever number of identity fraud cases reported to Cifas’ National Fraud Database, says the UK counter-fraud trade body.
Cifas says that cases of identity rose by 18 per cent in 2019 compared to the previous year – the highest ever increase recorded on its database. As Cifas says, identity fraud occurs when a fraudster abuses personal data to impersonate an innocent party, or creates a fictitious identity, often to open a new account or obtain a product.
Identity fraud has been steadily rising over the last five years; recorded cases in 2019 went up 32pc – to 223,163 – compared to 2015, which saw a total of 169,592. The total has risen year by year. This type of fraud accounts for the majority – 61pc – of all cases recorded to the Cifas’ database by its members, typically banks, insurers and lenders. Some 42pc of identity fraud cases were committed to obtain a debit or credit card, closely followed by a bank account (22pc); almost all of these cases taking place online.
Mike Haley, CEO of Cifas, pictured, said: ‘In an increasingly digital world, there is a growing need to improve the way we protect our personal information as we know that if it falls into the wrong hands, the consequences can be devastating.
‘One of the most common methods used to access people’s data is by sending an email or text pretending to be a bank or service provider. With this in mind, we need to be vigilant of who we share our information with, in the same way that service providers need to ensure that they are dealing with the right person and take all necessary actions to protect people’s personal information. Only by working together can we effectively take action against the growing problem of fraud.’
Background
The stats from Cifas’ Fraudscape which details all cases of fraud reported to Cifas’ database, and will be published later this year. For advice on preventing fraud visit the Take Five website. Visit https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/.
