Have a read of this article from the Calgary Herald, describing the experience of Alicia Paziuk who suffered a case of identity fraud this year.

According to the article, 10,000 Canadians suffered from identity fraud in 2008, losing a total of $8.8m. But what interests us is the psychological effect on the victims:

“It really can shake people’s trust in the world. Victims can also feel frustrated and powerless as they try to restore their credibility.”
Now, Paziuk burns everything with her name and identity on it. She shops with cash. She never leaves her wallet in the car.”

Back in the UK, the Identity & Passport Service lists the supposed benefits of the National Identity Scheme, two of which are:

help protect cardholders against identity theft and fraud

provide a secure way of applying for financial products and making financial transactions, including those made over the internet

Clearly the Government wants to project a (false?) sense of security with ID cards, claiming that biometric data will eradicate ID fraud. But that sense of security is very dangerous. How will biometric data help with internet transactions, as above? What’s to stop an ID card falling into the wrong hands being used fraudulently? These questions have not been answered well enough by a Government that is so carefree with data security.

The Canadians feel “frustrated and powerless”, but what will the psychological state of a UK ID fraud victim be in the ID register era? An era when someone has no choice but to carry an ID card. An era when a piece of plastic and a database entry is the final say on your identity. And an era when if your identity is stolen - noone will believe who you say you are.