Overview

This bill makes it a crime to impersonate a UK public sector website to obtain payments or personal data. The aim is to protect citizens from online scams and fraud targeting government services.

Description

The Public Sector Website Impersonation Bill criminalizes the act of impersonating a public sector website (including central government, regional, local, or other public authorities, bodies governed by public law, or public undertakings) for the purpose of collecting payments or personal data.

Penalties

Upon summary conviction, offenders in England and Wales face a fine. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the fine is capped at the statutory maximum. The court will consider any financial gain from the crime when determining the fine amount.

Guidance

The Secretary of State has the power to issue guidance on how to identify genuine public sector websites.

Extent and Commencement

The bill applies across the UK and will come into force 90 days after it becomes law.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. However, there may be costs associated with issuing guidance and potential enforcement actions.

Groups Affected

• Citizens: The bill aims to protect citizens from online fraud and scams by making website impersonation a criminal offense.
• Public Sector Organizations: The bill protects the reputation of public sector bodies and helps maintain public trust in online government services.
• Cybercriminals: The bill directly targets cybercriminals who engage in this type of fraudulent activity, potentially leading to prosecution and fines.
• Law enforcement: Law enforcement agencies will be responsible for investigating and prosecuting offenses under this bill. This may increase their workload.

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