Internet action will crack ID theft, government hopes

The government has launched a campaign to try to prevent UK citizens falling foul to identity fraudsters – and to give advice to those that have already become victims.

It's a problem that costs the UK £1.3bn a year and affects 100,000, according to the government, and one which could be reduced if people just took a few simple precautions including tearing up bank statements, receipts and bills – even junk mail - before putting them in the dustbin.

Home Office minister Des Browne announced launch of the website – which can be found at www.identity-theft.org.uk - saying that there are lots of precautions people can take to fox the fraudsters.

Phishing also gets a mention on the site, with a link to the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit's guidance on the subject.

Anyone who has been caught out by the identity thieves – and according to Gartner there are 30 million people that fell for phishing scams in the US alone last year – can also use the site as a first point of contact for getting their identity back.

It may take some time, though. The government's statistics say that it takes the average victim around 300 hours to get undo the scammers' work.