Identity theft

If your personal information falls into the wrong hands, it can be used to steal your identity.

If you think your identity has been stolen, report it to your bank and change your passwords. You can also contact IDCARE for specialised support.

If identity documents with your Centrelink Customer Reference Number, Medicare or myGov details have been compromised, contact Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft help desk on 1800 941 126, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm AEST.

Reports of stolen shares due to identity theft is on the rise. ASIC is warning investors to be on high alert as fraudsters impersonating individuals are transferring or selling their shares without them knowing.

Read the investor alert.

Signs of identity theft

If your identity has been stolen, you may not realise for some time. These are some signs to look out for:

• Unusual bills or charges that you don’t recognise appear on your bank statement.
• Mail that you’re expecting doesn’t arrive.
• You get calls or texts about products and services you’ve never used.
• Strange emails appear in your inbox.
• A sudden increase in suspicious phone calls, texts or messages through social platforms.

Act fast if your identity is stolen

What to do if you think your identity has been stolen.

Contact your bank

Contact your bank so they can block the account. This will stop a scammer from accessing your money. You may also need to cancel any credit or debit cards linked to your accounts.

Contact IDCARE

IDCARE is Australia and New Zealand’s national identity and cyber support service. They can help you make a plan (for free) to limit the damage of identity theft. Call 1800 595 160 or visit the IDCARE website.

Change your passwords

If someone has stolen your identity, they may know your passwords. Change your passwords straight away. Think about all of your online accounts, including social media and other bank accounts.

Report the fraud

If you think your personal information has been used, you can report it to the police via ReportCyber.

Report it to the relevant websites

If you think someone has hacked into your online accounts, report it to the relevant websites.

Alert family and friends

If someone has taken over your social media accounts or your email address, alert your family and friends. Tell them to block the account.

Report it to Scamwatch

Scamwatch, run by the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), collects data about scams in Australia. Your report helps Scamwatch raise awareness about how to recognise, avoid and report scams. NASC also shares intelligence and works with government, law enforcement and the private sector to disrupt and prevent scams.

Report a scam to Scamwatch.

Protect yourself from identify fraud

Simple steps you can take to avoid identity theft.

Use strong passwords

Make sure your passwords are long and contain a mix of numbers, symbols, capital letters and lowercase letters. Strong passwords make it harder for people to hack into your accounts.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has some useful tips on creating a strong password or passphrase.

Shred your documents

Letters from your bank, super fund and employer can all contain personal details scammers can use to steal your identity. Shred these kinds of letters before you throw them out.

Use public computers with caution

If you use a public computer, for example, at a library, make sure you clear your internet history and log out of your accounts.

Be careful on social media

Be aware of what you post on social media, particularly if your profile is public. Scammers can find out where you live, work and visit through your posts.

Use security software on your computer

Use virus protection software to help stop hackers from accessing your information. This software can help protect you if you click on a suspicious link or visit a fake website.

Monitor your bank transactions

Check your bank statements and online accounts regularly for unusual transactions. If you spot something unusual, check it with your bank and find out if you need to act.

Request a copy of your credit report

Check your credit report for any unusual or incorrect debts, loans or credit applications. If you suspect fraud, you can request a temporary ban. Find out how to get a free copy of your credit report.

Secure your mail

Put a lock on your street mailbox so that people can’t steal your mail.

Source:
Reproduced with the permission of ASIC’s MoneySmart Team. This article was originally published at https://moneysmart.gov.au/online-safety/identity-theft
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