Anti-fraud initiative proves popular in the Western Isles

A high-tech initiative, designed to help prevent passport fraud and stop those set on using other people’s identities to carry out serious crimes, is proving successful in the Western Isles.

The Video Interview Service (VIS) was launched by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) last November. Secure video links, that connect first time adult passport applicants to trained staff hundreds of miles away in passport interview offices, have been used by 68 applicants in Stornoway, Castlebay and Balivanich. Already 43 applicants have used the service in Stornoway since the office’s launch in April.

The VIS is one of a range of anti-fraud measures introduced by the Government to ensure the passport is among the most secure in the world.

The service follows the introduction of 68 offices across the UK to interview first time adult passport applicants face-to-face in a bid to deter fraudsters.

The video link services in Stornoway, Castlebay and Balivanich are operated in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, which provides premises and staff to facilitate the interviews.

As well as a powerful fraud deterrent, the remote interview process has proved convenient for adult customers in the Western Isles who have applied for a passport for the first time, by removing the need to travel hundreds of miles to the nearest passport interview office.

Home Office Minister for Identity Lord Brett said: “Face-to-face interviews are key to preventing fraudsters set on using other people’s identities to carry out serious crimes including benefit fraud, illegal working, drug trafficking and terrorism.

“The Video Interview Service is designed to provide a convenient way for adults in the Western Isles to apply for a passport for the first time, while ensuring the British passport remains one of the most secure travel documents in the world.”

The IPS prevented 9,832 fraudulent passport applications last year across the UK and is committed to reducing the level of passport fraud even further.

The VIS is based at Council offices in Stornoway, Balivanich and Castlebay, Barra.

More information on passports and applying for a passport is available from the Passport Adviceline, 0300 222 0000, and at www.ips.gov.uk.

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