Identity theft is a growing problem affecting individuals, government departments and private sector organisations.

To help raise awareness of this problem amongst businesses and individuals, Fellowes initiated the National Identity Fraud Prevention Week campaign in 2005.  This campaign is now in its 3rd year and has gained support from many key organisations.  Click here for more information about the campaign.

In collaboration with other government departments and private sector organisations, the Home Office set up the Identity Fraud Steering Committee to lead a cross public/private sector work programme to tackle identity theft and identity fraud. The programme co-ordinates existing activity in the public and private sectors and identifies new projects and initiatives to reduce identity crime.  A report of the progress to date is available at www.identitytheft.org.uk. There have been a number of key successes:

• Aligned penalties for fraudulently obtaining documents
• Developing and sharing good practice by working together
• A network of Single Points of Contact for prosecuting identity related crimes
• Agreeing overreaching definitions of Identity theft and identity fraud
• Launched website to raise awareness of the risk presented by identity fraud

So, although we are starting to recognise identity theft, we are along way off solving this problem.