The National Consumer Council (NCC) is calling on banks, credit card companies, mobile phone operators and utility firms to help set up and finance a national identity (ID) theft support centre.

ID theft is one of the UK's fastest growing crimes affecting more than 100,000 people every year and is estimated to cost the economy £1.7 billion each year.

Often the first sign that something is wrong is when a mortgage or credit card application is rejected or demands for unpaid bills or debts arrive.

However, companies are only giving customers affected by the crime low priority, according to the NCC, and there is a lack of recognition for victims in UK law.

NCC would like to see a telephone and web-based one-stop ID theft support centre, similar to one working in the US, to help victims of ID theft to untangle the web of deceit and clear their names.

"It's clear from our research that business must dedicate more time and resources into putting things right for victims of ID theft – or face calls for stronger consumer protection laws, said NCC's Chair, Lord Whitty.

"So far, the UK government and companies have focused on raising consumer awareness of ID theft, but no-one has paid much attention to supporting its victims."

The proposed centre would do things such as help victims prove their identity, provide them with their credit report, take steps to help prevent further fraud and contact all the relevant service providers on victims' behalf.