The British Security Industry Association held a National Identity Fraud Prevention Week earlier this year. The importance of protecting businesses and customers against identity fraud was stressed. The Vice Chairman of the association’s Destruction Section said, “If fraudsters get hold of sensitive information about your business, they can obtain credit and set up bank accounts in your company’s name or arrange fraudulent transactions with suppliers.” He also pointed out that if a company’s customer information is obtained you are liable under the Data Protection Act. He went on to warn that the consequences of identity fraud are potentially large in terms of financial risk, loss of reputation and loss of customer confidence.
He mentioned the shredding of confidential information. We would enlarge on this to remind you not only to shred paper but also to securely dispose of any other kind of record which you no longer wish to keep, whether it has been held in paper form or technological.
This is a message we have been putting out for years but we make no apology for keeping issuing reminders. It is so important.
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