National Identity Fraud Prevention Week

Agenda’s screenings services often come across information which does not ring true, ranging from misquoted qualifications to stolen identity documents and with identity fraud becoming one of the UK’s fastest growing crimes, affecting individuals and businesses alike it has never been more important to take care of your valuable personal information. Although most people are aware of identity fraud, research shows that individuals and businesses are not fully protecting themselves. National Identity Fraud Prevention Week (from the 12th to 18th October 2009) is a nationwide effort to help in the battle against identity fraud. The website www.stop-idfraud.co.uk offers a range of resources to help individuals and businesses to avoid the often costly and fraudulent effects of this crime. There are practical guides available to businesses – Download a free practical guide to protect your business and for individuals to better protect themselves. Download the identity fraud prevention guide. This initiative is welcomed by Agenda – Ex Fraud Squad Officer Richard Connelly said ”Organisations often leave themselves open to fraud because they believe it always happened to somebody else, which is why we protect our information and those of our clients and candidates so rigorously. It is nor until there is a serious breach or after an un-screened bad apple is recruited that organisations start to look at their own processes and systems, it is vital that organisations become more proactive about security to prevent the damage caused by identity and other types of fraud.” He went on to say “There is also useful information available from groups like the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure aimed at detecting fake or forged documents check www.cpni.gov.uk/Docs/Document_verification_guidance_-_July_2007.pdf.”