UK – Preparing to Launch Campaign against Identity Theft

As per a report by MPs (All-party Parliamentary Group in the UK) on identity theft, it has been decided to launch an advertisement to caution about revealing too much private information on social networking sites. The MPs also summon the government and directed them to make the business circle and public aware of identity fraud and how they can avoid being trapped and finally asks them to present an overall review of resources and law for the police.

The government of the UK estimates that it nearly costs them around 1.7 Billion Pound per year and almost 171,488 cases reported in 2006. But the consumer research has unfolded another story claiming that the problem is far bigger than this as the latest surveys have revealed that as many as one in four user fall victims to these frauds.

Shockingly, the MPs have also discovered that many people are not adopting protective steps to avoid this fraud, particularly the young people as it has been found that they are least bothered to confine their private information. Further, more than 60% in the 16-25 age group do not damage their personal documents before throwing them away and one out of six has also displayed private data in a chat room or a social networking site or on a blog.

Thus, the group requires an advertisement campaign on social networking sites like Bebo, MySpace and Facebook to spread awareness among the younger people. Other suggestions recommend providing the police with enough resources to handle problem, which includes imposing strict measures on companies that put people's personal data in danger and having loyal and dedicated identity fraud officers.

It has been very well observed that despite innumerous warnings, many users fail to adopt simple precautions which avoid them from becoming victims, like checking their bank statements, damage their documents before throwing them away, and controlling their credit reference.

The group also senses urgency in getting the consumers and business circle educated about the hazards of disclosing private data on PCs. The All Party Group is also making the banking industry aware of the growing problem of identity theft and suggests them to adopt substantial measures for protecting themselves and their customers.

Related article: US Passes Baton to Asia in Spam Relay

» SPAMfighter News - 10/22/2007