§ Brian WhiteTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to counter identity theft. [148596]
§ Beverley HughesFollowing the conclusion of the consultation on Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud in July 2003, the Home Office is taking work forward on the introduction of identity cards, including examining the role identity cards could have in countering identity theft and fraud.
In addition to this work, the Passport Service is piloting a system to conduct more background checks on passport applications. DVLA is working with the Passport Service and other Government Departments to raise the quality of its identity checks using good practice already identified elsewhere.
We have also looked at legislative changes to make identity theft or fraud easier to prosecute or to ensure that the penalties associated with fraudulent use of documents take account of their use in creating false, or stealing genuine, identities. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 changed the law to align the penalty associated with fraudulently obtaining a driving licence with that for fraudulently obtaining a passport and to make these offences arrestable. This will ensure consistency of approach during prosecution so that fraudulently obtaining either document will incur a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, serving as a more effective deterrent and ensuring that neither document is considered a weak link.
we also announced in 2003 our intention to create a new offence relating to being in possession or control of false identity documents, without reasonable cause. This offence will provide the police with the means to disrupt the activities of organised criminals and terrorists at an earlier stage of their activities.
The Home Office has recently established a cross public-private sector work programme to tackle identity theft and identity fraud. This programme is specifically examining: 215W
policy development (e.g. identify opportunities for combating ID fraud through data sharing or creating new criminal offences);developing and sharing good practice (e.g. improving the procedures for checking and issuing official documents such as passports and driving licences); andscoping studies and potential pilots to identify new systems to counter ID fraud.
§ Brian WhiteTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to the public on the protection of their personal details. [148599]
§ Beverley HughesIt is not currently a criminal offence for a person simply to use another identity. However, false identities are often used to facilitate other offences such as deception and money laundering. Crimes such as theft and robberies are carried out sometimes to obtain personal documents, which are subsequently used to create false identities.
The general guidance we have issued on being safe, secure and how to avoid being a victim of crime, will help prevent personal documents from being stolen and misused. This includes caution on sending financial details in emails and ordering goods over the internet and being mindful of carrying valuables on the person.
Police forces offer advice to the public on how to avoid being a victim of identity theft as part of their crime prevention activity.
Passports and driving licences are the two main official documents that are used currently to help prove identity. The UK Passport Service has produced guidance on keeping passports safe and what to do if they are lost or stolen. It highlights that
If your passport is lost or stolen you should be aware that, in addition to the inconvenience of acquiring a replacement, the document (passport) and your identity are open to misuse".The booklet also explains how to keep your passport secure when abroad.
DVLA is considering the advice that it currently provides and is looking into what guidance it can offer to drivers on looking after their licences. including the fact that their identity could be open to misuse if their licence is lost or stolen.
Establishment Ashfield Hollesley Bay Huntercombe Werrington Wetherby Total Juveniles December 2001 13 0 0 1 1 15 2002 166 4 4 1 9 184 20031 159 2 38 2 14 215 Total juveniles 338 6 42 4 24 414 YOs December 2001 4 0 0 0 0 4 2002 48 0 2 0 0 50 20031 101 0 7 0 0 108 Total YOs 153 0 9 0 0 162 Total incidents 491 6 51 4 24 576 1 Up to 30 November 2003. Note:
The figures provided are number of incidents, not number of individuals. Some individuals will repeatedly self-harm. In December 2002, a new form for reporting self-injury (the F213SH) was introduced across the prisons estate, which seeks to address the problem of under-reporting of self-injury.
216WWe have encouraged financial organisations and utilities to provide regular guidance to their customers on how to safely dispose of statements and bills, which are often used to help prove identity. We hope that private sector organisations will play their part in raising public awareness on how to handle and safely dispose of these and other types of personal documents.