ID thieves deserve jail, says privacy watchdog

Information commissioner Richard Thomas has called for prison sentences of up to two years for the illegal buying and selling of personal information.

In a report to parliament he has warned that confidential information can too easily be obtained improperly from public and private organisations, causing significant harm and distress to individuals.

Advances in technology enable public and private bodies to hold vast amounts of information about us but they need to be fully aware of the risks of unauthorised disclosure and take strong precautions.

The report warns there is a "pervasive and widespread industry" devoted to illegally buying and selling people's personal information such as addresses, ex-directory telephone numbers, criminal records and bank account details.

Private investigators are one of the main suppliers of this personal data and information is gathered either by paying off staff - £750 can buy you someone's phone records - or impersonating the target individual or another official.

Thomas warned in a statement: "Organisations can also be victims of this pernicious trade. Advances in technology enable public and private bodies to hold vast amounts of information about us but they need to be fully aware of the risks of unauthorised disclosure and take strong precautions."

And he said light penalties are devaluing this serious data-protection offence in the public mind and masking the seriousness of the crime, even within the judicial system.

He added: "We are proposing the introduction of a prison sentence of up to two years for people convicted by the crown courts and up to six months for those found guilty by magistrates.

"The aim is not to send more people to prison but to discourage all who might be tempted to engage in this trade - whether as suppliers or buyers."