Are you at risk of identity theft?

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing forms of fraud and is becoming an increasingly significant concern to individuals and businesses. The 2006/07 British Crime Survey reports that 2% of adults have had their personal details used without their knowledge in the last twelve months and government statistics have identified that identity fraud costs the UK economy £1.7 billion.

Identity theft involves fraudsters obtaining sufficient information about a person or company to be able to assume their identity and obtain goods, credit or services, in a false name. If fraudsters get hold of confidential information they can change the registered office and directors of a company; effectively stealing a company’s identity, simply by lodging forged forms at Companies House.

Following an Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) investigation it was found that 11 high street banks were found to be in breach of the Data Protection Act. Security procedures had been contravened by customers’ personal information being put in their normal rubbish bins where criminals have access to it. This information can include data of a sensitive nature for example, religious beliefs, criminal convictions and racial or ethic origins, where particularly strict provisions apply.

In order to ensure that they are protected from identity theft, businesses must take preventative measures to protect their confidential information.
By using a professional information destruction (ID) company, businesses can rest assured that their confidential material will not fall into the wrong hands. BSIA information destruction companies are inspected by the British Standard for the sector – BS8470. They will also ensure that your confidential information is dealt with in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Visit: www.bsia.co.uk/shredding for more information.