Cape Town - Identity theft in South Africa has increased by more than 200 percent over the last six years and men between the ages of 28 and 40 are the primary targets.
This is according to South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) spokesperson Carol McLoughlin.
But she said their most recent figures showed that reported cases of identity fraud had decreased from 3 400 cases to 3 334 cases a year.
Despite this, McLoughlin said apprehending identity thieves was difficult because personal information was available everywhere.
“Whether you fill in a competition or a new account, your information is out there,” she said.
Once criminals had an individual’s ID details, they could make up a fake identity document using personal information, such as ID numbers, account details and addresses.
McLoughlin said there was even collusion from organisations who provided identity thieves with clients’ personal information.
“These criminals are extremely resourceful and will resort to any measures to get this information. Once they set up a fake ID, it is hard for people working in retail because its like a transaction with a ghost,” she said.
McLoughlin said people usually only discovered they were the victims of identity theft once they were blacklisted for non-payment of accounts opened in their names.
South Africa Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) chief executive Kalyani Pillay said identity fraud remained a challenge globally.
He said criminals relied on the good reputation of their victims to gain access to the financial services or benefits their victims qualified for.
“Criminals replicate your identity by collecting as much information about you as required by them for the intended crime and forging supporting documentation like an identity document, as proof of identity.
“Often the real identity document of the victim would have been stolen and the photograph replaced with that of the fraudster who is doing the impersonation,” said Pillay.
She said fraud victims were impersonated to either take over their existing facilities or to apply for new products or services.
Pillay said Sabric does work with the South African Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS) to create awareness of this type of crime.
“Sabric supports the SAFPS whenever requested, and this collaboration is ongoing,” she said.
Pillay said people could safeguard themselves against identity theft by using the following tips:
* Don’t carry unnecessary personal information in your wallet or purse.
* Don’t disclose personal information such as passwords and PINs when asked to do so by anyone via telephone, fax or even e-mail.
* Don’t write down PINs and passwords and avoid obvious choices like birth dates and first names. Keep PIN and passwords confidential.
* Don’t use internet cafés or unsecure terminals (hotels, conference centres etc) to do your banking.
* Protect your personal information at all times.
* When destroying personal information, either shred or burn it (do not tear or put it in a garbage or recycling bag).
* Store personal and financial documentation safely. Always lock it away.
* Pay attention to account cycles so that you can identify when communications intended for you, have not reached you.
To prevent your ID being used to commit fraud if it is lost or stolen, alert the SA Fraud Prevention Services immediately on 0860 101 248 or at www.safps.org.za.
Pillay said your information would then be put on a database used by banks and retailers.
Cape Times