Online ID theft on the rise

Experts have warned of a dramatic increase in online ID theft across the UK.

Organised criminal gangs are using the internet to steal computer users’ identities, which can be worth more than £85,000, a new study has revealed.

Identity theft experts Garlik claim that ID theft will be worth £4bn by 2010 and will affect 200,000 internet users every year, doubling the amount it currently affects.

“Our study shows organised criminals are responsible for 75 per cent of credit card fraud and are rapidly moving into identity theft. These ‘identity brokers’ harvest data from online sources and use the information to manufacture and steal identities for criminal misuse,” said Tom Ilube, CEO of Garlik.

Britons are more willing to hand out personal details online than if asked in person or over the phone, the study revealed.

According to the figures, 12 per cent of internet users regularly disclose bank details online compared to only two per cent who do so in person, while 70 per cent give out their home address online compared to less than a quarter if asked on the telephone.

http://www.garlik.com/

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