New worries about identity fraud
A recent survey published by the business research group,
Gartner
Inc., has shown the problem of identity theft may be far bigger
than
previously thought. The survey estimated that in the US 7 million
adults had been the victims of identity theft in the twelve months
ending June 2003. This is a 79% increase on the previous year.
A new form of Internet fraud known as ìphishingî
may be adding to
the problem. The fraudster sends emails, which look as if they
have
come from a service provider, to customers of service providers
or
retailers. The emails claim that the service provider needs the
consumer to verify his account information. The consumer clicks
on
a link and is directed to a ìphisherî page, which
imitates the
service providerís site. The consumer is asked to re-submit
personal information for the account, including passwords and
social
security numbers. The fraudster captures the information and
uses
it to make purchases, invade bank accounts and otherwise steal
the
consumerís identity.
The problem of identity fraud is escalating. With no criminal
offence of identity theft under UK law, legislation is needed
to
keep pace with these increasingly sophisticated crimes. However
in
the civil courts the potential victim is in a much stronger
position. Marks & Spencer, Sainsburyís and other household
names
have been granted Court Orders forbidding any use of their names
on
the Internet, although at that time it was only a threat, not
a
reality.
Should your clients have problems with regard to identity
fraud we
this consultancy is able to assist with the assistance of cutting
edge investigative experience and legal advisor colleagues working
on the Fraud Advisory Panel.
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