CIFAS, a UK’s Fraud Prevention Service, has reported on frauds recorded by its 260 member organisations during the 9 nine months of 2011.

The report reveals a 34% increase in fraud related to communications products, when compared with the same period in 2010.

CIFAS conclude that some “communications” products, for example smartphones like the iPhone handsets are viewed as essential items rather a luxury items which infers an entitlement to commit fraud.

CIFAS have also seen:

• 93% increase in impersonation of the victim at their current address, also known as current address fraud
• 85% increase in the use of completely fictitious
• 64% surge in identity fraud individuals trying to gain a obtain products or services
• 20% increase in misuse of facility cases

CIFAS Communications Manager, Richard Hurley, notes:

“The rise in current address fraud alarms because it signifies either that fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated (as it is more difficult to impersonate someone at their address and then try to intercept goods or paperwork), or it demonstrates that friends, family and co-habitees are involved. Allied to the similarly enormous increase in the use of completely false identities, this surely indicates that communications products have become so essential that fraudsters not only obtain goods or handsets to sell on but will also attempt to use any identity in order to avoid becoming liable for bills.”

“nearly 100% of this increase can be accounted for by regular payment fraud, where fraudulent direct debit instructions are given in an attempt to evade the payment of bills. The reality of the situation is that the communications product, device or service has become so embedded in our lives that many of us seem unable to do without them. With sacrifices having to be made by most individuals and households, these figures depressingly indicate that many people feel that, economically, they have no choice but to attempt fraud in order to continue receiving such services.”

CIFAS Notes

1. CIFAS is the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service, a not for profit Membership organisation with over 260 cross sector Members including banking, credit cards, asset finance, retail credit, mail order, insurance, telecommunications and the public sector. Members lawfully share information on frauds in the fight to prevent further fraud.
2. The following tables show a summary of communications fraud cases recorded by CIFAS Members, broken down by the type of fraud identified. Definitions are given below the table.