Identity theft concerns 44 million polling cards

22.07.2005 Following an identity theft feasibility study conducted by Professor Martin Gill , one of the UK ’s foremost criminologists, voters are being urged to take particular care of their polling cards and other personal documentation. With more than 44 million polling cards in circulation during the election campaign, Professor Gill advises the estimated 18 million non-voters to make sure they destroy their polling cards rather than just throw them in the bin.

The warning comes after Professor Gill and his team of researchers were commissioned by Capital One Bank to conduct a study into the ways in which different types of documentation are accepted as ‘proof of identification’.

Using only a polling card as identification the team was able to withdraw cash on a credit card and collect a number of registered parcels from the post office.

In some cases the only hurdle to jump in order to use a polling card to withdraw money and check balances at a bank (without a bank card or account number) was to answer stock security questions, such as their address, post code or date of birth - all of which can be obtained easily. In other cases the team achieved similar aims without the need for a polling card or any form of independent identification at all. 

Professor Gill commented:
“Some of the findings are extremely worrying. For instance, one phone retailer allowed a member of the team to open a mobile phone contract using only a faxed copy of a council tax bill and a bank account number. Ultimately the study highlights that people need to look after their personal documentation and ensure that information such as their account details are kept secret and secure.”

The report’s sponsor Capital One recently launched the UK ’s first free Identity Theft Assistance service to help tackle the growing problem of identity theft in the UK . 

Capital One spokesperson, Dan Cobley, is asking the public to take particular care during the election, he commented: “Polling cards are clearly visible, with no envelope to disguise them, and have no photo, signature or other feature to link them to their bearer. This makes them even more attractive to identity thieves. Those who decide not to vote should destroy their polling card immediately. The best advice to anyone who has not received a polling card is to check with their local council when it was sent out.”

Identity theft is one of the UK ’s fastest growing crimes, in fact research suggests there is a new case of identity fraud committed every four minutes in the UK. It is facilitated by the ease with which offenders can gain information and personal documentation about people. Given that an estimated 14.4 million items of mail are lost each year, the dangers are clear.