Metropolitan Police
Detective Superintendent
Russell Day from the Economic and Specialist Crime Command:

"The Metropolitan police are happy to support any campaign which aims to raise awareness of the growing threat of online Identity fraud. We advise all users to never post personal details on the internet which could collectively be used to clone your identity. This new campaign is an excellent method which could help prevent Identity fraud and most importantly, to protect you and your CV."

View Press Release

Did you know that the average CV contains 8 pieces of information used in identity theft?

ID fraud is one of the most serious issues facing people today and the CV provides criminals with more than enough information used to commit this act. An estimated 100,000 people fall victim of ID theft in the UK each year, costing the economy over £1.3 billion.

In October 2008 online CV provider iProfile.org undertook a controlled experiment, supported by the Metropolitan Police and the Information Assurance Advisory Council (IAAC), to demonstrate how easily CV ID Fraud can happen. They placed a job advert in a national newspaper for a fake

company, Denis Atlas, of which 107 people replied by sending their CV. Had these people researched the company first they would have discovered this website and realised it was placed as part of an experiment to raise awareness of CV ID fraud.

Unfortunately people are unknowingly putting themselves at risk by sending their CVs out without taking the necessary precautions first. Visit the other areas of this website to hear true stories of CV ID fraud and get advice on how you can prevent it from happening to you.

Rick Bacon, CEO of iProfile:

"People need to be aware of the dangers of posting personal information online. As people wise up to shredding their utility bills and bank statements, they should consider other material that fraudsters can use to steal their personal identity. The public need to treat any documents that contain personal information with care - including their CV. We hope this research highlights the dangers and gets people thinking about using the secure tools that are available on the internet to protect themselves."

Neil Fisher, Vice Chair, IAAC:

"Identity fraud is currently, and will remain, a hugely serious issue and any campaign that raises awareness of the dangers should be commended. Many people feel comfortable about sending their CVs 'blind' without thinking about the consequences if their information fell into the wrong hands. This campaign will help people better understand the risks they face if they do not take proper control over their personal information."