Protect your identity

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 local police and your bank, and change your passwords.

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 following up about products and services that you’ve never used.
• Strange emails appear in your inbox.

Act fast if your identity is stolen

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

Report it to the police

Report it to your  local police department. Ask for the police report number so you can give it to your bank.

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.

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 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 the ACCC

The ACCC’s  Scamwatch  collects data about scams in Australia. Your report helps Scamwatch create scam alerts to warn the community.

Contact IDCARE

IDCARE  is a free service that will work with you to develop a plan to limit the damage of identity theft. 

Protect yourself from identify fraud

Simple steps you can take to avoid identity theft.

1. Secure your mail
2. Put a lock on your street mailbox so that people can’t steal your mail.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 has some useful  tips to protect your information online.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Request a copy of your credit report: Check your credit report for any unusual or incorrect debts. Find out how to get a free copy of your  credit report.

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

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