Online fraud getting worse in UK

Calcutta News.Net
Monday 17th November, 2008

Online safety groups in the UK have warned that Internet fraudsters are selling complete financial identities for just £80.

The details, packaged and sold online, include names, addresses, passport numbers and confidential financial data such as credit card numbers.

Identification theft is a serious problem because of an international trade in stolen identities and data.

It is estimated that nearly half of all computer users in the UK are vulnerable because they are not taking time to add defensive measures, such as a firewall, to their computers.

Another criticism is that too many people are using the same password for key websites, making it easier for bank details and other sensitive data to be gathered.

The BBC has reported that six out of 10 people are now managing finances online, with experts saying the public needs to do more to prevent online crime.

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