Identity Matters

  • Identity Security Information
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What is your identity information and credentials?

Your identity information is any piece of personal information or data that helps confirm who you are or how to find you – for example, your full name, date of birth or home address.

Your credentials are also known as evidence of identity documents – for example, your driver licence, Medicare card or passport.

What is identity crime?

Identity crime (sometimes called identity theft or identity fraud) involves someone using your identity information without your consent. They may do this to:

  • steal money from your bank account
  • take out loans or credit cards in your name
  • take out phone plans and other contracts in your name
  • access your superannuation
  • access your social media accounts and impersonate you to scam your family and friends
  • create new identity credentials for themselves, using your details.

How does it happen?

Fraudsters and scammers can reach you in many ways including through social media, email, text messages and phone calls.

Identity theft and scams

Identity fraud often begins with 'phishing'. Phishing is a way scammers deceive you into giving them your identity information.

Scammers may gain your trust by pretending to be from a bank, the government, a trusted business, or even a friend or family member.

How can you protect your identity information?

You can take simple steps to protect your identity information by:

  • creating strong passwords 
  • not opening suspicious messages 
  • updating your online privacy settings regularly
  • guarding your financial information, including checking your credit card and bank statements regularly for any unusual transactions
  • monitoring your credit report 
  • safely storing identity documents 
  • strengthening your email account security using multi-factor authentication
  • protecting your mail e.g. by locking your letterbox or consider the mail holding service at the post office 

How can you tell if you are a victim of identity crime?

Look out for:

  • items appearing on your credit card statements that you do not recognise
  • getting bills or invoices for goods or services you haven’t asked for
  • not getting mail you expected from your bank or not receiving any mail in the post
  • receiving letters from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that aren’t yours

Do not give out your identity information until you are sure it is legitimate. 

Tips to make sure it legitimate: 

  • Check for any misspellings and/or poor grammar
  • Verify the domain with a simple web search using WHOIS
  • Look up for reviews for the site

Tips for creating a strong password

  • Longer is stronger
  • Use random words strung together
  • Avoid reusing the same password
  • Change your password regularly

What should you do if you are a victim of identity crime?

Act quickly to:

  • contact your financial institution 
  • report the matter to your local police 
  • change your account passwords
  • if you know that one or more of your identity documents have been compromised, contact the organisation that issued the document 
  • if you have clicked on a suspicious link impersonating myGov or Services Australia, call Services Australia’s Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126
  • contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 for specialist services including counselling and support for victims to recover their identity

If you have been a victim of identity crime or suspect your identity has been stolen, it is important to act quickly to minimise any financial loss or other damage.

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