Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to investigate, restrict or prohibit practices requiring private individuals to use financial systems or devices which render them vulnerable to acts of cyber fraud in order to access goods and services offered by companies or public authorities.

The Government takes the protection of consumers very seriously and is committed to improving access to financial services that can be used safely and securely.

HM Treasury works closely with the Bank of England, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the Financial Conduct Authority to improve the resilience of the finance sector to operational risks including cyber threats. We are supported by wider government, including the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Crime Agency.

In addition, the Government’s Joint Fraud Taskforce aims to use the collective powers, systems and resources of banks, payment providers, police, wider law enforcement and regulators to tackle fraud, and raise awareness of the risk of fraud among consumers.