80 PRACTICAL TIPS TO HELP COMBAT IDENTITY THEFT

10|06|08

Even more important now HMRC can't even keep our data private!!

The HMRC have a history of this kind of problem. A previous fraud case of "stolen identity" involved criminals obtaining the details of employees of Network Rail and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and making a variety of claims using the HMRC website. The volume of claims was such that the site was closed on 2 December 2005. HMRC estimate that the fraud cost them £15m.

In the current case, there has not yet been any loss to any of the people whose identities were lost.  However, the theft of an individual’s identity can be enormously stressful as well as financially damaging and it is the UK’s fastest-growing crime. The UK fraud prevention group, CIFAS, estimates that a "total hijack" of identity could cost a victim as much as £8,000 and require 400 hours of time spent before things are back to normal.

CIFAS also report that in the January - September 2007 period there were 57,302 cases of identity theft.

"There are a number of simple things that individuals can do to minimise the risks of identity theft.  So we're pleased to offer a downloadable fact sheet from our website listing 80 practical tips that people can implement." says Steve Penny, Partner at John Collins & Partners "However, this does not solve the problem of HMRC losing our details or allowing them to be stolen.  While there is no legal precedent for what happens should a case of identity theft stem from HMRC's loss, the implications for the government should this happen would be enormous.  Let's hope the discs are found quickly".

Download the John Collins & Partners- "Top 80 tips to protect your identity" booklet by clicking here

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