Account holders are being asked to identify themselves

The Association of Guernsey Banks, has teamed up with the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, the States and the Financial Intelligence Service to issue advice to bank customers in the islands.

They have produced a leaflet called "Fighting Crime and Terrorism" spelling out how bank customers can help combat terrorism and the illegal gains of criminals.

The campaign, which includes asking account holders to identify themselves properly, has been welcomed by the island's Advisory and Finance Committee as a further move to maintain the island's anti-money laundering standards.

The Association of Guernsey Banks' chairman, Peter Symes, said it was a vital step to help combat criminal activities.

He said: "Identity theft is on the increase and the banks want to be law-abiding and make sure they open accounts for people who are who they say they are and not someone who is pretending to be them.

"We do not to open accounts for anybody who is involved in any sort of crime whatsoever."