More than 150,000 Norwegians have been victims of ID theft over the past two years alone, according to a new survey reported by state broadcaster NRK.
The numbers show a slight increase over earlier years, but the cases were larger in terms of money lost and credit ratings ruined. Roar Kvassheim of the Oslo Police District said most ID theft now occurs over the Internet.
“Among other things, thieves buy goods over the Internet and set up credit agreements with payment plans,” Kvassheim told NRK. “Then they receive the goods and their victims get the bills.”
Norway’s Risk Information Group thinks organized crime is behind much of the ID theft and swindling, and warns against Norwegians being naive and careless with their sensitive financial information.
newsinenglish.no staff
