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Story URL: http://www.silicon.com/research/specialreports/protectingid/0,3800002220,39130944,00.htm

BT plans passport checks to slash ID fraud
But you'll still need to keep an eye on your bin...

By Dan Ilett

Published: Friday 03 June 2005

BT is planning to be one of the first internet service providers to perform passport and driving licence identity checks for users of online banking and retail services.

The UK telecoms giant is planning to act as a credential screening service when people register for new internet services in a bid to cut the level of identity fraud.

Ray Stanton, the global head of BT's security practice, said: "The registration process is so important. But will this stop ID theft? It won't stop men going through your rubbish but it will transform identity theft figures. Capital One [the credit card company] has been showing it's an attack people should be aware of."

BT will combine its URU identity management servers with two-factor authentication tokens, rumoured to be supplied by security company RSA.

RSA said it was working with BT but would not reveal any details of the collaboration.

Although the project is still under construction, a number of banks are testing early models of the system. Some unnamed companies in the retail sector such as supermarkets are also piloting the service.

BT was unsure whether it would charge a fee for the service, which Stanton said would be launched at RSA's security conference in October. "The cost has got to be low for people to approve it," Stanton added.