31 October 2006
UK banks are failing to protect their customers from ID theft according to research from Heise Security. Last month, the computing publication released research stating that many of the UK's banks were missing security loopholes which could enable identity thieves to obtain critical information.
This week, the firm declared that four of the banks highlighted in its report are still not doing enough to prevent 'phishing'. 'Phishing' is the name given to the activity where a fraudster convinces a consumer to release private bank details by sending an email pretending to be from their bank.
Edward Hemming, managing editor of Heise Security's UK operation, told the Guardian: "Phishing scams are on the increase and they are becoming more sophisticated. Now they try to look more and more like the organisation's website and target genuine customers."
First Direct, Cahoot, NatWest, Bank of Ireland and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) were named as banks who were failing their customers. The report also praised a number of high street banks, including HSBC, Barclays and the Halifax, for their efforts in preventing 'spoofing'.
High street banks aren't entirely in the clear however, as the information commissioner Richard Thomas announced that he had evidence which showed high street banks dumping sensitive customer information out into the streets.
His office is investigating reports of lax security by the Post Office, NatWest, HSBC and the RBS. Ian Mullen, chief executive of the British Bankers' Association (BBA), rose to the banks' defence, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme that instances of documents being found outside in bin bags were isolated and it was not clear the banks were to blame.
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