One question to wake up to every weekday morning. One story from Africa, for Africa. Alan Kasujja takes a deep dive into the news shaping the continent. Ready by early morning, five days a week, Monday to Friday.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0925ydp
Why is identity theft an increasing problem?
Recently Africa Daily presenter Mpho Lakaje had a shock - he found he had been the victim of identity theft. The person or people behind the crime had opened accounts using his personal details and taken out six loans to a total value of $2,000. It has so far been impossible for the local police to make arrests because everything happened online.
He's far from alone: the Southern African Fraud Prevention Services says reports of the crime have increased by 356% in South Africa - and an Interpol report shows that South Africa tops Africa in cyber threats and is third in the world. In today’s episode, Mpho makes a trip to the police station to sort out his now complicated affairs - and sits down with another identity theft victim Cisca. He also speaks to Chad Thomas of IRS Forensic Investigations.
So just how big a problem is impersonation fraud in Africa? And what can you do to protect yourself from cybercriminals?