§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the result of his Department's investigation into the nature and extent of identity fraud. [81092]
§ Mr. TimmsThe best available measure of the scale of Identity Fraud is provided by the Department's measurement regime (Benefit Reviews). The second 521W Income Support review recorded the level of ID fraud at between 1 per cent. and 9 per cent. of the stock of fraud. This translates to between £17.5 million and £154 million.
Initial characteristics of an Identity Fraudster were identified and further research was proposed to refine these characteristics further. This is a valuable line of inquiry since if the characteristics of an Identity Fraudster can be established, then we can enhance our ability to prevent, detect and target resources at identity fraud.
The Identity Fraud Management Unit has now been incorporated within the Benefits Agency Security and Investigation Service (BASIS), the organised and serious fraud investigation service, who have extensive intelligence and experience in dealing with Identity related benefit crime.
§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps have been taken towards establishing a criminal intelligence database for fraud investigation in the Benefits Agency and local authorities. [81090]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Benefits Agency Security and Investigation Service (BASIS) uses an intelligence database to record all operational intelligence relating to investigations. BASIS liaises with the Benefit Fraud Investigation Service (BFIS) and local authorities and is developing further its interchange and use of intelligence for investigative purposes with BFIS and local authorities.