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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Vicky Shaw

The ‘worrying trend’ that puts you at risk of identity fraud

  • Fraud prevention service Cifas has identified a "worrying trend" of individuals selling their own identities, often for promised financial opportunities.
  • This practice leaves people vulnerable to criminals taking out loans or credit in their name, leading to significant personal debt.
  • Cifas's latest Fraudscape report revealed over 118,000 suspected identity fraud cases between January and June 2025, with AI significantly exacerbating the threat through synthetic identities and fabricated profiles.
  • The report also highlighted a rise in employee fraud, including individuals concealing background information and engaging in "polygamous working" or using fraudulent references.
  • Cifas CEO Mike Haley described fraud as a "national emergency" supercharged by AI, urging urgent, coordinated cross-sector collaboration to combat the evolving threat.

IN FULL

Urgent warning issued to people selling their identities online

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