Protecting your Identity
Personal information such as a person’s date of birth, address, mother’s maiden name and passwords have become a currency for thieves seeking to obtain credit, goods and other services.
Federal Member for Dickson, Peter Dutton MP, said the way in which thieves steal a person’s identity is becoming more sophisticated and can include obtaining personal information from internet sites, rubbish bins or by copying credit card information after you make a purchase.
Federal Member for Dickson, Peter Dutton MP, said the way in which thieves steal a person’s identity is becoming more sophisticated and can include obtaining personal information from internet sites, rubbish bins or by copying credit card information after you make a purchase.
“Victims of identity theft bear significant financial and emotional costs in regaining their identity and credit rating and it is critical that people know how to protect themselves,” he said.
“According to an ABS report on personal fraud, identity fraud has become the fastest growing crime in Australia, claiming 453,100 victims in the past 12 months,” Mr Dutton said.
“At an estimated cost of $1 billion to the economy, the Rudd Labor Government must work to improve identity security to protect the identities of innocent Australians from being used for illegal purposes.
To help prevent Identity Fraud people in Dickson can:
– Check your credit report at Credit Reference Agencies to ensure no accounts or credit have been illegally set up in your name.
– Shred documents before throwing away to ensure fraudsters cannot build up a profile based on information you discard in the rubbish;
– Regularly install up-to-date internet security and anti-virus software;
– Secure your mailbox with a lock so that once mail is delivered it can only be accessed by you;
– Pay attention to billing cycles and contact creditors immediately if your bills arrive late, as a missing bill could mean a fraudster has taken over your account and changed your billing address;
– Avoid using obvious passwords such as telephone numbers, birth dates or your mother’s maiden name;
– Beware of anybody who contacts you unexpectedly and asks for personal information or account details. Ask for their name and a contact number and then check with the organisation in question before calling back.
For further information please visit: www.stopidtheft.com.au
“According to an ABS report on personal fraud, identity fraud has become the fastest growing crime in Australia, claiming 453,100 victims in the past 12 months,” Mr Dutton said.
“At an estimated cost of $1 billion to the economy, the Rudd Labor Government must work to improve identity security to protect the identities of innocent Australians from being used for illegal purposes.
To help prevent Identity Fraud people in Dickson can:
– Check your credit report at Credit Reference Agencies to ensure no accounts or credit have been illegally set up in your name.
– Shred documents before throwing away to ensure fraudsters cannot build up a profile based on information you discard in the rubbish;
– Regularly install up-to-date internet security and anti-virus software;
– Secure your mailbox with a lock so that once mail is delivered it can only be accessed by you;
– Pay attention to billing cycles and contact creditors immediately if your bills arrive late, as a missing bill could mean a fraudster has taken over your account and changed your billing address;
– Avoid using obvious passwords such as telephone numbers, birth dates or your mother’s maiden name;
– Beware of anybody who contacts you unexpectedly and asks for personal information or account details. Ask for their name and a contact number and then check with the organisation in question before calling back.
For further information please visit: www.stopidtheft.com.au
