Local councils are posting up information on their web sites that could provide fraudsters with all the details they need to carry out identity theft, according to the UK’s fraud prevention service.

The problem stems from local authorities posting planning applications online. Fraud-prevention body Cifas warned this month that details such as applicants’ names, addresses and signatures are available from council web sites, offering fraudsters a wealth of useful data.

“This is Christmas come early for identity fraudsters,” said Cifas chief executive Peter Hurst.

Cifas has now alerted local authorities to the practice, and received assurances that the problem will be dealt with. Hurst said that local authorities need to strike the right balance between publishing details of public consultations and protecting personal information.