Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Whether the Ministry Is Aware of Individuals Not Updating Their New Address on Their NRIC for Nefarious Purposes

Question:

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Ministry is aware of individuals registering a change of address with ICA after moving house but continuing to use the address imprinted on their NRIC without affixing the sticker containing their new address on the back of their NRIC for nefarious purposes such as taking out loans with illegal moneylenders; and (b) what measures the Ministry plans to take to detect and prevent fraud of this nature in order to protect the new occupants of the address.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1.   Under Regulation 11A of the National Registration Regulations, individuals who have received a new address label have to affix it on the identity card as soon as practicable. Those who fail to comply may be liable for a fine of up to $3,000, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.

2.   Individuals who use an outdated address on their identity card to deceive others, or fraudulently or dishonestly induce them to do something which they otherwise would not 7 have done, may be liable for the offence of Cheating under the Penal Code. If found guilty, they may be punished with imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine, or both. Those who furnish false contact information, including one’s residential address, to an unlicensed moneylender, may be liable for an offence under Section 50 of the Moneylenders Act. Upon conviction, they may be liable for imprisonment for up to 12 months.

3.   Those who suspect their address is being misused should make a report to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority or the Police for investigation.