Anti-fraud firm warns of increase in ID theft

According to the research, awareness of identity theft has reached new heights, with 57 per cent of people surveyed concerned about the problem.

The research even goes as far as saying that the majority of shoppers are more concerned about having their identity stolen than their purse, wallet or car keys.

Criminals are not only using other people’s card details to buy goods, but are also using their personal details to secure credit.

The company cites Cabinet Office figures that suggest identity fraud is costing the UK economy more than£1.3 billion a year.

GB Group chief executive Richard Law said: ‘Retailers have been keen to sign up new store card customers this year to sustain the consumer spending boom.

But they don’t necessarily use rigorous checks to ensure that their customers aren’t using false identities to secure credit. Retailers should not judge their customers on face value. Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated at fraudulently producing identification documents, so a simple identity check is not enough.’

GB Group offers a service that checks applications for credit against a national database, which is gleaned from utility companies.

The firm is also testing voice biometrics for a service planned for launch sometime this year.