Pictured above: Henry Briggs
Businesses are still not taking identity fraud and theft
seriously enough and in many instances, customers' identities are
being put at risk according to a Birmingham accountant.
The comments from Henry Briggs at the Birmingham office of
Haines Watts, follow the release of annual figures which show that
in 2009, there was a 35% increase in the number of victims of
impersonation - and a 15% increase in the number of victims of bank
account takeovers.
The latest statistics reinforce a study by the National Fraud
Authority undertaken in conjunction with paper shredder company
Fellowes which revealed that 97% of employees are not confident
that their bosses do enough to safeguard against identity
fraud.
"This is despite the fact that figures from the Authority show
that nearly half of all business - 43% - fear the effect fraud can
have on their company reputation," said Mr Briggs.
"It seems that in 2009, fraud was the one growth business.
Criminal takings from fraud did not suffer during recession - but
it had a profound impact on their victims. Latest statistics reveal
that in the UK, there were 85,000 victims of impersonation and
24,000 victims of bank account takeovers."
It is estimated that the average identity theft in the UK cost
the victim £2,100.
For more information on Haines Watts, view their website here:
www.hwca.com