Fighting
Crime and Terrorism: We need your help
The following has been reprinted from a statement issued
by the National Criminal Intelligence
Service
Crime and terrorism need cash.
Criminals turn the ‘dirty’ cash made from fraud, drug
trafficking, smuggling and robbery into ‘clean’ money
by using false identities or taking the names of innocent people
– like you.
You can make life harder for criminals and terrorist.
How can you help?
You may find that your financial services provider asks you to present
information or documents about yourself, so that your identity can
be confirmed. By providing this information you make it harder for
criminals and terrorists to use false names – including yours
– in committing their crimes. Making sure that people are
who they say they are is essential in the fight against crime and
terrorism.
When?
This could happen whether you are applying to be a new customer
or have been a customer for some time. It may happen more than once
if you have several products or use a variety of financial services
providers. However, you will not have to prove your identity every
time you deal with the company and it should not affect your day-to-day
transactions.
The information you provide is held confidentially.
Why?
It does not mean in any way that suspicion is falling on you. Information
is needed that clearly identifies or reconfirms who you are. This
makes it harder for criminals to use false or stolen identities
to access the financial system and turn their ‘dirty’
criminal money into ‘clean’ funds.
Who’s Involved?
The Government, law enforcement agencies and all organisatons involved
in financial services. We are all united in our determination to
crack down on crime and terrorism. We need your help as well.
What proof of identity do you need?
The best documents are those that are issued by an official authority,
cannot be easily forged, and include a photograph. Separate documents
are needed to prove your identity and your home address.