英国个人身份盗用年损$30亿
作者： FT
责任编辑： 阚智
来源： 《电脑商情报》
时间： 2006-02-04 04:03
Identity fraud is costing the UK a record ?1.7bn per year, a new Home Office report said on Thursday, climbing from ?1.3bn in 2002.
Andy Burnham, Home Office Minister, said the report? findings confirmed ?he sheer scale of the threat posed by identity fraud? and underlined the need for identity cards.
A bill to introduce the cards ? which would contain biometric data for fingerprint, iris and face recognition - is currently moving through parliament, but has been hampered by concerns about cost and the impact on civil liberties. The House of Lords dealt a blow to government plans when it voted last month to ensure the scheme was voluntary.
A recent study by academics at the London School of Economics estimated the programme could cost up to ?19bn, and its effectiveness has been questioned.
The new report, calculated by the Home Office Identity Fraud Steering Committee, highlights the case for ID cards, a National Identity Register, and greater protection for security of British passports.
?ne way we can reduce the potential for identity fraud is to introduce national identity card, backed by a National Identity Register, using biometric technology to crack down on multiple identities and secure personal data on behalf of the individual,? Mr Burnham said.
Despite efforts to curb identity fraud, wide use of electronic transactions makes individuals increasingly vulnerable. ID fraud entails anything from taking someone? name to apply for credit cards and loans, to renting a home or filing for bankruptcy. The Home Office estimates that plastic card fraud cost ?504.8m in 2004.
The report has drawn a vocal response from ID card opponents, who say that it could make identity fraud problems worse.
?It is impossible to see how an ID card would reduce credit card fraud unless we are expected to show our ID card every time we make a purchase,? Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman said. ?Putting all our personal data in one place will make the ID card scheme a honeypot for hackers and identity fraudsters.?
Edward Garnier, Conservative home affairs spokesman, agreed and suggested that the government spend the money that it wants to spend on ID cards on more effective measures to combat fraud and terrorism.
Those hit the hardest by ID fraud are still looking for solutions. The telecommunications industry has faced losses of nearly ?370m, according to Jack Wraith, chief executive of the Telecommunications UK Fraud Forum.
?he very nature of the services provided by the telecommunications industry makes us a target for identity fraud,? Mr Wraith said.
Other industries that reported heavy annual losses are the Association of British Retailers [?22m], the Department for Work and Pensions [?20m], and the Finance and Leasing Association [?14m].
Andy Burnham, Home Office Minister, said the report? findings confirmed ?he sheer scale of the threat posed by identity fraud? and underlined the need for identity cards.
A bill to introduce the cards ? which would contain biometric data for fingerprint, iris and face recognition - is currently moving through parliament, but has been hampered by concerns about cost and the impact on civil liberties. The House of Lords dealt a blow to government plans when it voted last month to ensure the scheme was voluntary.
A recent study by academics at the London School of Economics estimated the programme could cost up to ?19bn, and its effectiveness has been questioned.
The new report, calculated by the Home Office Identity Fraud Steering Committee, highlights the case for ID cards, a National Identity Register, and greater protection for security of British passports.
?ne way we can reduce the potential for identity fraud is to introduce national identity card, backed by a National Identity Register, using biometric technology to crack down on multiple identities and secure personal data on behalf of the individual,? Mr Burnham said.
Despite efforts to curb identity fraud, wide use of electronic transactions makes individuals increasingly vulnerable. ID fraud entails anything from taking someone? name to apply for credit cards and loans, to renting a home or filing for bankruptcy. The Home Office estimates that plastic card fraud cost ?504.8m in 2004.
The report has drawn a vocal response from ID card opponents, who say that it could make identity fraud problems worse.
?It is impossible to see how an ID card would reduce credit card fraud unless we are expected to show our ID card every time we make a purchase,? Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman said. ?Putting all our personal data in one place will make the ID card scheme a honeypot for hackers and identity fraudsters.?
Edward Garnier, Conservative home affairs spokesman, agreed and suggested that the government spend the money that it wants to spend on ID cards on more effective measures to combat fraud and terrorism.
Those hit the hardest by ID fraud are still looking for solutions. The telecommunications industry has faced losses of nearly ?370m, according to Jack Wraith, chief executive of the Telecommunications UK Fraud Forum.
?he very nature of the services provided by the telecommunications industry makes us a target for identity fraud,? Mr Wraith said.
Other industries that reported heavy annual losses are the Association of British Retailers [?22m], the Department for Work and Pensions [?20m], and the Finance and Leasing Association [?14m].
