Protect yourself against identity crime

Identity crime is a serious and growing issue, affecting countless people and leaving long-lasting impacts. It involves the misuse of someone’s personal information - whether stolen, fabricated, or manipulated - to commit fraud or other crimes.

What is identity crime?

Identity crime takes many forms, including:

• Theft of personal information such as your name, address, or banking details.
• Using stolen identities to commit fraud, like applying for loans or opening accounts.
• Creating false identities to facilitate other crimes, such as money laundering.

Both physical documents (like passports and driver’s licenses) and digital data (such as email accounts, social media profiles, and banking credentials) are at risk.

How does identity theft happen?

Scammers are constantly finding new ways to steal personal information. Some common methods include:

• Phishing emails: Messages designed to look legitimate that trick you into sharing sensitive information.
• Malware: Clicking on a link that secretly installs software to steal your data.
• Data breaches: Hackers accessing personal information stored by companies or organisations.
• Social engineering: Creating a false sense of urgency or alarm to pressure you into revealing details.
• Physical theft: Stealing mail, documents, or devices with sensitive data.
• Unsecured online activity: Social media oversharing, fake websites, or online competitions used to harvest information.

Steps to take if you’re a victim

If your identity has been compromised, here’s what you can do:

1. Change your passwords
   Update all passwords for email, social media, banking, and device logins. Consider creating new email addresses if necessary.
   
2. Inform your financial institutions
   Notify your bank and credit card providers about the situation. This allows them to monitor your accounts closely and block unauthorised access.
   
3. Cancel compromised cards
   Immediately cancel any credit or debit cards that may have been affected.
   
4. Contact a credit agency
   Reach out to a credit reference agency to place an alert on your file, preventing further fraudulent activity.
   
5. Report the incident

• Inform the police and report any lost or stolen documents (like passports or driver’s licences) to the relevant authorities.
• Lodge a report online with the Australian Cyber Security Centre at cyber.gov.au
  

1. Act on your eligibility
   You may be entitled to a Victim’s Certificate, which can help clear your name with financial institutions after an investigation.
   
2. Consider the source of the breach
   If you suspect your details were leaked by a company, government department, or other institution, you can lodge a privacy complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
   
3. Retain evidence
   Keep records of all actions taken - such as police reports, emails, and receipts. Photocopy any documents you need to send away and never mail originals.

Protect yourself moving forward

Prevention is key to safeguarding your identity:

• Use strong, unique passwords and change them regularly.
• Be cautious with personal information online - limit what you share and verify the authenticity of websites.
• Secure your physical documents, like passports and bank statements, in a safe place.
• Install and update antivirus software to protect against malware.
• Monitor your bank statements and credit report for any unusual activity.

Stay vigilant

Identity crime can be distressing, but by taking proactive measures, you can reduce your risk and protect your personal information. If you’ve been affected, remember that help is available - reach out to authorities, your bank, and trusted advisors to guide you through recovery.

For more information and support, visit the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s website: cyber.gov.au