True identity

The huge rise in cases of identity fraud across Yorkshire will no doubt prompt certain politicians to call once again for the introduction of ID cards. They should save their breath. Once a flagship Labour policy, this proposal has faded from view and now Ministers must tackle the causes of the problem.

These are many. The recession, during which acquisitive crimes have risen, the reckless approach to data security by banks, local

authorities and Government departments, and the lack of individual responsibility all have a role to play.

The number of cases of ID fraud, which rose by almost 45 per cent in the first nine months of last year, is deeply alarming. The stress it heaps on victims is significant and, when they are elderly or poor, the burden of trying to claim back stolen money can be enormous. In areas like Bradford, Bingley, Skipton, Wakefield and Harrogate, where the surge in the crime is most pronounced, they know of the damage all too well.

So what can be done? Financial institutions and public sector bodies must be more careful with the way they use, pass on and destroy data while the police should be freed from form-filling so they have the time to investigate identity crimes.

Finally, individuals need to do more.

This may seem like an unpalatable truth but Britons could be more vigilant by losing fewer credit cards, checking bank statements more carefully and obscuring sensitive information before they dispose of letters and personal details.

As mainstream society has eagerly adopted new means of communication, so have criminals. As such, tackling fraud is an ongoing battle rather than something that can be achieved overnight. Britons should know, however, that by refusing to let down their guard over personal data, they stand a better chance of keeping at bay another menace – the threat of costly, bureaucratic and unproven ID cards.