SUFFOLK Constabulary is backing the annual awareness campaign 'National Identity Fraud Prevention Week' which launched this week.This year, campaign partners from across the public-private sector have come together to warn Britain's businesses of the risk identity fraud poses to them, their employees, their customers and their suppliers.

SUFFOLK Constabulary is backing the annual awareness campaign 'National Identity Fraud Prevention Week' which launched this week.

This year, campaign partners from across the public-private sector have come together to warn Britain's businesses of the risk identity fraud poses to them, their employees, their customers and their suppliers.

Identity fraud occurs to an individual when a person's personal information is used by someone else without their knowledge to obtain credit, goods or other services fraudulently.

Two sets of independent research commissioned by Fellowes and the National Fraud Authority for National Identity Fraud Prevention Week (NIDFPW) show that one third of small and medium-sized businesses have been impacted by fraud - and that British consumers are experiencing a corresponding crisis in confidence, with only 3pc feeling completely confident the organisations they deal with handle their personal data responsibly.

The NIDFPW partners have come together to publish a 28-page guide for businesses to launch a dedicated online resource centre, outlining the risks and offering tips on how to keep corporate data safe, and advice on how to overcome a breach should one occur. This invaluable resource is available free of charge from the campaign's website, www.stop-idfraud.co.uk or by calling 00800 1810 1810.

The NIDFPW is timely in Suffolk with local businesses being given the opportunity to put questions to an expert panel including Suffolk Police Chief Constable Simon Ash and Chair of Suffolk Police Authority Gulshan Kayembe, during a business crime forum this evening.

Suffolk Police Authority is hosting the event, which is taking place at Force Headquarters, Martlesham Heath between 5pm and 8pm.

It is a free event facilitated by broadcaster Rachel Sloane and supported by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and Suffolk Trading Standards, where business representatives are invited to share and discuss their views on business crime in the county.

Temporary Detective Superintendent Steve Mattin from the force's Organised Crime unit explains: 'I would urge all businesses in Suffolk to take every possible step to prevent business crime and ID fraud - make yourselves familiar with the guidance issued as part of National ID Fraud Prevention Week and stop it from happening to you or your business now.

'The threat of identity fraud is real and current - yet people are not aware as they should be of the advice that could keep their identity, their finances and their reputation safe.

'Even simple steps, like thoroughly shredding any documents with your name and address on them, will help to minimise your exposure.

'The police service is committed to increasing the awareness of identity crime, preventing criminals from committing identity crime, and to enforce the law to ensure those responsible for such crimes are held to account.'