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'Growing concern' over UK ID theft

There is growing parliamentary concern over the success of email scams leading to ID theft, an MP has claimed.

Speaking to Politics.co.uk, conservative backbencher Nigel Evans has decided to take action after he personally received 40 emails illegally seeking his personal data.

Mr Evans is the chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on identity fraud and claims that these phishing attacks pose a particular threat in the current economic climate.

He said: "We are very concerned about the growing success of these email scams.

"They are particularly damaging at a time when people are increasingly financially stretched."

Mr Evans has urged those asked for their details to get in touch, warning them to be particularly vigilant of people claiming to want to give them money.

"People have got to be wary that there is nobody who is trying to give them £100s and £1000s to transfer money from their account to yours," he explained.

A 2007 report by the committee indicated that a majority of these ID theft attacks are used to support criminal activity, including terrorism, illegal immigration and trafficking.

The Home Office estimates from 2006 that ID theft costs the UK economy £1.7 billion each year.

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