Written question asked by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Monday, 10 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 November 2003. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 November 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what powers there are to impose penalties on people perpetrating phishing frauds in internet banking; and what the penalties are. - Inc ref to Thefts Acts 1968 and 1978.

Answer: Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers there are to impose penalties on people perpetrating phishing frauds in internet banking; and what the penalties are. [138596] Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply. The term "phishing" has recently been coined to refer to the practice of sending e-mails which falsely claim to originate from banks, asking customers to re-register or "re-activate" their accounts at a replica bank website, with the aim of using the information provided to transfer money out of these accounts. This is an offence (or attempted offence) of fraud and can be prosecuted under the Theft Acts 1968 and 1978 or under the common law of conspiracy to defraud. The maximum penalty for the main fraud offences (including attempts to commit them) is 10 years' imprisonment.

Secondary information