IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft - info courtesy of Victoria Police -  can happen in many ways. It can range from someone using your credit illegally, to having your entire identity assumed by another person and business conducted in your name without your consent. Important personal information can be accessed by a determined thief, despite your best efforts.
For example:

• Your wallet or purse is stolen with all your identifying cards.
• Your home is burgled and personal documents stolen.
• Important documents, such as bank statements, credit cards, utility bills and taxation return, are stolen from your letterbox.
• Mail is diverted to another address without your knowledge.
• Recycle rubbish bins being searched.
• Being the victim of a scam, where you have been conned into providing personal information over the telephone or by email (advanced fee fraud or phishing).
• Your personal computer may have been compromised with malicious software or hackers / criminals may compromise the computers of businesses that hold your personal information.
• Credit card details may be captured by hidden devices during an ATM or EFTPOS transaction (ATM credit card skimming) or your PIN number may be seen by someone in the queue (shoulder surfing).
• Credit cards may be skimmed at retail outlets or restaurants.

How to protect yourself

Personal information is shared almost every day as you pay bills, log on to a computer, or engage with any number of transactions with other people and organisations. You can take an active role in reducing the risk of your identity being used without your knowledge. First, you need to recognise where you might be vulnerable and then make changes to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.
Do

• Aim to provide a minimum amount of information about yourself.
• Destroy identifying information when you are throwing out personal papers. That also includes 'Pre-approved credit card applications'.
• Conduct regular checks / reconciliations of your billing and account records (credit card, cheque and mortgage accounts).
• Limit the amount of credit you have in your 'everyday' accounts.
• Obtain a copy of your credit rating report regularly.
• Place passwords on all your important accounts.
• Memorise passwords and avoid using obvious passwords.
• Secure your personal information at home.
• Collect new cheque books or credit cards in person from the bank.
• Secure your mail with a lockable letterbox and only post mail at official post boxes.
• Remove your name from mailing lists if you receive unsolicited mail.
• Write cheques and fill out forms carefully so that they cannot be altered easily.
• Keep a list of all your accounts and credit cards in a secure place.

Share this post