To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the level of fraud arising from information on identity stolen from household waste bins. (176705)

The Government do not have this information recorded centrally.

We know from the police and other public and private sector partners on the Identity Fraud Steering Committee (IFSC) that personal details for use in identity fraud are obtained in a variety of ways. The IFSC has produced the website www.identity theft.org.uk to advise the public on how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity fraud, warning signs to look out for, and what someone should do if they do fall victim.

On 9 October 2007 the Attorney-General announced that funding had been approved for the proposals arising from the Government's fraud review. This includes the development of a National Fraud Strategic Authority, together with a National Fraud Reporting Centre, the establishment of the City of London police as the lead force on fraud, and proposals for measurement of fraud. These measures will help to tackle fraud in general and increase our understanding of the nature and extent of the problem.