Cross Government work will protect kiwis from identity fraud
12/10/2007
Ensuring a consistent level of confidence in processes used to manage identity information is the key priority of a cross-government working group says Annette Offenberger, General Manager Identity Services, Department of Internal Affairs.
The Working Group was established in late 2006 has made good progress in developing a strategy that will strengthen evidence of identity processes for government agencies and help reduce identity crime and fraud.
“The detection last year of multiple identity benefit fraudster Wayne Patterson and his sentencing today highlights the importance of government agencies working together to develop strategies that contribute to preventing and detecting identity fraud,” says Annette Offenberger.
Wayne Patterson’s identity fraud included the use of fake birth certificates, and fraudulently obtained community services cards, driver licences, and IRD numbers to gain access to services such as bank accounts and PO Boxes.
The Department of Internal Affairs is leading the cross-government strategic working group, which includes the State Services Commission, New Zealand Police, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Labour, Ministry of Social Development, Inland Revenue Department and Land Transport New Zealand.
Annette Offenberger says that this will build on a number of other identity management initiatives led by the Department of Internal Affairs. These include stewardship of the Evidence of the Identity Standard, launched last year by the Ministers of Internal Affairs and State Services and notification of lost and stolen passports to international agencies including Interpol.
“All of this work is aimed at protecting the people of New Zealand and government agencies against identity fraudsters and the havoc they wreak,” concludes Annette Offenberger.
Contact
Tony Wallace
Senior Communications Advisor
Department of Internal Affairs
Phone 04 382 3437 (direct dial) Mobile 0274 402 667
e-mail: tony.wallace@dia.govt.nz
