Smart ID Plus Enhance Death Records to Help Battle Identity Fraud

To combat the increasing "impersonation of the deceased" (IOD) Fraud Smart ID Plus has further enhanced their mortality databse with 12 million death records.

Tracesmart Corporate, leading suppliers of consumer tracing, data cleansing, identity check solutions and the E-ID manual have ensured that they will continue to hold the UK's most comprehensive mortality database with the acquisition of 12 million death records. Spanning 1960 - 1983, the records are to be incorporated into their online identity check and fraud prevention tool - Smart ID Plus. The addition of these records into their already unrivalled mortality database will afford users of Smart ID Plus an even greater level of protection against ‘impersonation of the deceased' (IOD) fraud.

IOD fraud is one of the fastest growing types of identity theft in the Britain, making it crucial for businesses to protect themselves by employing an accurate identity checking service. Michael Trezise, Managing Director at Tracesmart Corporate, highlights the importance of mortality screening as part of the identity check process, "As well as the financial cost to companies, IOD fraud can cause unfathomable stress to the deceased person's family - finding out that the identity of a loved one has been stolen after they have passed is deeply distressing. It is therefore essential that companies cross-reference customer identity against mortality records - not only to protect themselves but also safeguard the general consumer."

"Acquired from the General Register Office, the death records are held on microfiche and are in the process of being digitised prior to uploading them into the system; for this task Tracesmart Corporate have employed a third party whose stringent data-entry procedures will ensure the utmost accuracy. "The company we have chosen to digitise our records have robust procedures in place to ensure data accuracy. Each record will be double keyed by 2 different operatives and then audited by a third individual to maintain the highest levels of accuracy. This method will allow us to enjoy a 99.95% precision rating." commented Paul Weathersby, Technical Director. "Whilst this process is reasonably lengthy - completion date is early 2010 - it is absolutely vital in order to ensure data accuracy and to provide our clients with the most precise identity checking service available. The addition of these death records to our Smart ID Plus system will help prevent companies from falling victim to IOD fraud, which will inevitably not only save them money, but also protect their brand."

As well as aiding in the fight against IOD fraud, the mortality records will also be utilised in other areas of their business, such as asset reunification. "Whenever we embark on an asset reunification project, there will, inevitably, be a certain amount of owners of dormant accounts who have passed away. The more mortality data we have at our fingertips, the quicker we are able to identify these individuals and contact their executor or next of kin instead. This in-turn speeds up the reunification process benefitting both our clients and their customers." Trezise concluded.

About Smart ID Plus

Smart ID Plus - www.smartidplus.co.uk - is one of the UK's leading online identity verification systems. Combining a multitude of consumer datasets with intuitive technologies and the ability to verify traditional identity documents, the system allows for identity to be confirmed at the click of a button. In addition to being utilised for anti-fraud purposes, it is also heavily employed as part of anti-money laundering due diligence processes.
Tracesmart Corporate - www.tracesmartcorporate.co.uk - is the commercial division of Tracesmart Ltd - UK leaders in the provision of consumer tracing, data cleansing, identity verification and data supply services.

Michael Trezise is the founder and Managing Director of Tracesmart. With over 25 years of tracing and fraud analysis experience, his unrivalled knowledge provides the company with a distinct competitive advantage.

Paul Weathersby is an industry leading IT specialist, who, along with his team, develops and maintains the cutting edge technologies which drive the company's suite of services.

Contact:

Adam Smith - Marketing Manager

Tracesmart Ltd
2 Sovereign Quay
Havannah Street
Cardiff
CF10 5SF
Tel: 02920 474 120
Mobile: 07976 637091
Email: [email protected]
Photos Available on Request.

Subjects