Dr Patricia Holness (centre), chief executive officer of the Registrar General's Department, greets Gabrielle Chambers (left) and Remaliah Bennett during the department's 130th anniversary church service at the Vision Apostolic Ministries Church on Job Lane in Spanish Town, St Catherine, yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

The chief executive officer of the Registrar General's Department, (RGD) Dr Patricia Holness, is warning Jamaicans to be more alert as identity theft is on the rise.

Identity theft is the illegal acquisition of an individual's personal information for illicit pursuits.

"Identity theft has always been a problem, and it is even more rampant now that we are operating in an electronic environment," Holness told The Gleaner.

She was speaking yesterday after a thanksgiving service at the Job Lane Pentecostal Church in St Catherine to commemorate the RGD's 130th anniversary.

Not affecting the rgd

Holness stressed that the issue of identity theft has not been affecting the RGD, but said there have been instances of people fraudulently assuming the names of their relatives.

The CEO said the RGD is now working along with the police to deal with the cases.

In the meantime, Holness has advised that Internet users change their passwords often as a means of protecting their information.

She also suggested that people properly dispose of any document that can lead to the theft of their identities.

Commenting on the RGD, Holness said although the department has made significant advances, more is required.

"We want to have drive-through electronic registration, as that would give real-time action. However, more needs to be done before we reach the desired efficiency," Holness said.

The head of the nation's civil registry said people must register births, deaths and marriages if they want to make conducting business easier.

rasbert.turner@gleanerjm.com

'Identity theft has always been a problem, and it is even more rampant now that we are operating in an electronic environment.'