Increasing use of technology is taking humans out of the loop
Technology accused of aiding ID theft
/v3-uk/news/1999882/technology-accused-aiding-id-theft
05 Sep 2005, Iain Thomson , V3
The increased use of technology may actually make identity theft worse, according to research from the University of East Anglia.
In a speech at the BA Festival of Science on Wednesday 7 September criminologist Dr Emily Finch will report that human vigilance is the best bulwark against identity fraud, and that the increasing use of technology is taking humans out of the loop and making them less trustful of their own intuition.
Dr Finch will argue that studies of criminal behavior have shown that technological fixes like ID cards have little effect in cutting offending.
"There is a worrying assumption that advances in technology will provide the solution to identity theft, whereas it is possible that they may actually aggravate the problem," she said.
"Our research has shown that fraudsters are tenacious, merely adapting their strategies to circumvent new security measures rather than desisting from fraudulent behaviour.
"Studying the way that individuals disclose sensitive information would be far more valuable in preventing identity fraud than the evolution of technologically advanced, but ultimately fallible, measures to prevent the misuse of personal information after it has been obtained."
For example, those who use chip and Pin systems on credit and debit cards now have to contend with 'shoulder surfing' criminals who remember the four-digit code. But because the system is in place, retailers fail to check for personal information.
Dr Finch cited an unofficial experiment where she swapped cards and Pins with a male colleague. No-one noticed that the card was being used by someone of the wrong gender.
The disconnection that technology can bring is also a factor. Conversing with someone online means that people cannot see visual clues to their behaviour, making it easier to lie.
This is not the first time that accusations have been made about the likely ineffectiveness of ID card technology. Security experts, academics, analysts and politicians have all raised serious concerns about the possible impact of identity cards.
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Do you agree?
why why
i knew that chip and pin was doomed from the very first day i heard about it, i knew the problems from day one, it only takes a man to steal a card from a woman from behind when she left the shop? do i have the right to refuse to use chip and pin if a enter a shop to pay for goods? why dont we just have finger print swipe? it cant be to hard to design and invent? microsoft use it now on the new Laptops?
Posted by Daniel Cawthorne, 05 Sep 2005
Chip & Pin has its limits
I can support the comment made in the article about the limitations of chip & PIN. When recently I mislaid my wallet and was awaiting new cards, I happily kept on shopping using my wife's chip & pin card (with her knowledge & agreement!) and was never once questioned on using a card in the name of Mrs G Turner!
Posted by Hamish Turner, 05 Sep 2005
Paranoia
I work retail and we require a picture ID. So many people are so paranoid to show ID, they think I will steal all their info in 1 quick glance. They yell at us telling us it is illegal to require ID, and the majority of the time their card has never been signed. They have been told someone can forge their signature if it is signed and when asked who told them that the answer is always a Law Inforcement Official. Gee, gee me a blank card anyday then I can sign it however i want and charge to my hearts content since the signature will match.
If you are that Paranoid PAY CASH!
Posted by Jo Thatcher, 05 Sep 2005