Identity Theft on the Rise in Norway: 150,000 Victims, Online Shopping Blamed

According to the Norwegian Center for Information Security (NorSIS), a staggering 3% of Norway’s residents have fallen victim to identity theft over the past two years, with approximately 150,000 individuals affected. The main contributors to this growing problem are online shopping and social media misuse.

Online shopping is responsible for most cases of identity theft.
Misuse on social media platforms is increasing rapidly, with around 45,000 Norwegians reporting issues with others pretending to be them.

No Significant Increase During the Pandemic Period

Despite the high numbers, there has been no significant increase in identity theft during the pandemic period when digital services were used more frequently and people were at greater risk of falling victim to ID theft.

Experts’ Warning: New Foreign Residents are Particularly Vulnerable

Experts warn that new foreign residents are particularly vulnerable due to uncertainty about verifying identities and potential language barriers.
“Today it is too easy to buy goods and services in someone else’s name,” said Marianne Henriksen from the Tax Administration. “This creates insecurity for those who have been exposed to identity theft.”

Prevention Measures

To prevent ID theft, experts recommend:

Activating BankID, a method of proving identity when making payments or logging into government systems, linked to one’s bank account.
Using a digital mailbox, which is secure and helps reduce the risk of important items being stolen from physical mailboxes.

Additional Online Shopping Security Measures

When shopping online, it is essential to take standard security measures such as:

Using a VPN on public WiFi networks
Only buying from reputable online stores with an SSL certificate
Enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible

On social media platforms, users should:

Use complex passwords
Consider using a password manager

National ID Card: A Potential Solution

The introduction of national ID cards has been highlighted as a potential solution to prevent identity theft in the future. While currently available only to Norwegian citizens, there is broad political support to make it available to all residents in the coming years.

Conclusion

As the situation continues to unfold, experts are urging individuals to take proactive steps to protect their identities and remain vigilant against this growing threat. By taking the necessary precautions and staying informed, we can work together to prevent identity theft and ensure a safer online experience for everyone.