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Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in Britain, but most people are still unaware of how vulnerable they are. Even the smallest piece of information about any one of us – an envelope with a name and address, for example – could be the first piece of the jigsaw the fraudster needs to start building up a picture. And it’s an increasingly sophisticated crime, with identities stolen not just to get money or credit, but also for use by organized gangs involved in prostitution, drug and people trafficking.
It’s the so-called ‘victimless crime’, because it’s the banks and credit card companies who eventually have to pay out. But as the victims explain, convincing the financial institutions that your identity has been stolen, and that you know nothing about the debt they insist you owe them, is a long and worrying process.
Producer Simon Cox of the BBC demonstrates how easy it is to be duped by plausible individuals determined to get personal information, how the contents of our trash bins provide clues that can easily be followed up, and hears how victims, police and criminals regard Identity Fraud. This program airs as part of our special international collaboration, Global Perspectives: The World of Crime.
Identity Fraud was produced by Simon Cox and Gillian Gray, for the BBC World Service, with technical production by Isabel Sargent. This program airs as part of the international collaboration Global Perspective:The World of Crime.
Links:
SOUNDPRINT's Global Perspectives Series
Listen to the entire Global Perspectives series.
Reducing the Risk of Identity Theft
Guides and facts to reducing your risk of fraud.
Home Office Identity Theft Home Page
The home page for the Home Office Identity Fraud Steering Committee in the UK
Federal Trade Commission: Your National Resource about identity theft
A one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft.
Identity Theft and Identity Fraud
Find answers to common questions about identity theft and fraud.
Books:
 Identity Theft Victim: Help and Support After the Crime
by: LouAnn Busch-White 2002
For victims of identity theft this book answers many of their questions and provides a proactive approach to their situation.
 Johnny May's Guide to preventing theft
by: Johnny A. May 2004
A step-by-step guide to help you protect your identity.
 Interrupted Identity: How to guard against and recover from having your identity stolen
by: Ron G. Patton 2000
Protect youself from identity theft.
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