By Melissa Higham - 31 Aug 2010
A new bill has been introduced to Parliament this month to help
prevent identity fraud. The bill will allow private agencies, such
as banks and finance companies, access to the government's
database.
Private agencies will be able to check whether identity
information given by a customer is consistent with information held
by the Department of Internal Affairs. An agency wanting to
use the service will have to obtain the consent of the customer and
enter into an agreement with the department. This service
will help agencies comply with the recently enacted Anti-Money
Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act, which imposes
greater requirements on agencies to undertake identity checks.