Calls for creation of ID fraud tsar

In a report published by the All Party Identity Fraud Group, MPs have called for the creation of an ID fraud tsar to tackle the growing blight that ID fraud is having across the UK.

The appointment of a senior figure would enable the UK to better coordinate its fight against this kind of fraud that is costing the UK economy over £1.7 billion year, with one in ten people falling victim. In the last two years alone there have been three ministers responsible for ID fraud.

The report also looked at how the existing infrastructure that banks and other institutions use to check identity could be improved with the creation of a central database that could be shared between the Government and the private sector. This would enable the verification of identity to take place much faster, and with a higher level of accuracy. The committee also said it was important to establish a national strategy to fight ID fraud.

Group chair Nigel Evans, MP, said: “There is not one department or government organisation which is responsible for this area. Identity fraud is a complicated and evolving issue and we all have a responsibility to protect our personal information.”