Anti-fraud Initiative Proves Popular In West Highlands

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 Lochaber.

The Video Interview Service (VIS) was launched by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in November last year. The secure video link connects first time adult passport applicants in Fort William to trained staff hours away in passport interview offices.

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 new video link service in Fort William Service Point is operated in partnership with The Highland Council 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 West Highlands who applied for a passport for the first time during the past nine months, by removing the need to travel many 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 West Highlands 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.

More information on passports and applying for a passport is available from the Passport Adviceline, 0300 222 0000, and at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office.