Britain suffers one of Europe’s highest rates of identity fraud with 4.3million adults already falling victim. But what many people don’t know is that many businesses are putting their customers at risk.
Almost 80 per cent of UK businesses make no effort to destroy the sensitive material that they throw away or are preparing to recycle, with 40 per cent risking their client’s identity by disposing of sensitive customer information without due care.
Yesterday saw the start of National Identity Fraud Prevention Week which hopes to raise awareness of the risks to both businesses and consumers.
‘National Identity Fraud Prevention Week is a great campaign that is focused on communicating to consumers and businesses the dangers of identity fraud and the preventative steps that could – and should – be taken,’ explains the BBC’s Adrian Chiles, who is fronting the campaign.
‘With a wealth of good advice coming from organisations at the forefront of the identity fraud battle, Britons would do well to pay attention. This week is the time to listen and to act on the advice being offered. I hope everyone takes note of the simple steps that can be taken to protect their identities so we can stop handing our identities to fraudsters on a plate.’
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