Help! I think my identity has been stolen

Identity theft can be a stressful, time-consuming and costly experience. Unfortunately, many people don’t realise that their identity has been stolen until it’s too late to protect their Credit Record. If you believe that someone may have used your identity details to fraudulently obtain credit you should act immediately.

Here are some steps you can take:

• Request a copy of your Equifax Credit Report to check that the information relates to applications for credit that you have in fact made

• Contact any credit providers listed on your Equifax Credit Report that you do not know or have not applied for credit with so that they can investigate and take appropriate and prompt action

• Contact Equifax (and other credit reporting bodies) to put a ban on your consumer credit information

• Contact the police and report the crime

When dealing with a possible identity theft it is important to keep records of the conversations you have and keep notes, including:

• name/s of the individual

• contact number

• the date you spoke to an organisation

• details of the conversation

You should also ask questions to the people you speak to so you can understand the process. Each credit provider may have their own processes for handling fraud. Note these requirements so you can comply.

Learn more: OAIC fact sheet on fraud and your credit report

To help protect your identity, we’ve put together the following P.R.O.T.E.C.T checklist.

Post

• Reduce the risk of postal fraud by installing a secure mailbox

• Arrange for your mail to be held at the post office whenever you go away. If you are moving house, arrange for your mail to be forwarded and let companies such as banks, credit card and utility companies know your new address

• After you've read important documents and no longer need them, shred them before throwing them out

• Consider electronic statements, it helps protect the environment as well

Review

• Check your bank accounts each month and investigate any suspicious activity, such as small payments to unknown companies or people

Online

• Don’t reveal passwords and personal identification information online, such as your birth date, full name, mother's maiden name or your phone number

• If you use social media sites like Facebook, make sure your privacy and security settings are updated so only ‘friends’ can access your page

Track

• Regularly check your Equifax Credit Report which you can get for free here and consider subscription plans from Equifax that includes a Credit alert service, notifying you when certain changes are made to your Equifax Credit Report

• Consider an identity focussed subscription plan from Equifax that includes Identity Watch, a cyber monitoring service. If your personal information is found to be compromised online you will be alerted

Eliminate

• Shred paperwork containing personal information or account details, including bank and credit card statements, phone and energy bills

Computer

• Always use secure sites when paying for purchases or transferring money online

• Install security software and keep it updated to protect your computer from hackers, scammers and viruses

• Never open any attachments from unreliable sources, or unusual messages or files from people you don’t know

Tell

• Immediately inform your credit providers if you notice any suspicious activity in your financial accounts

See our infographic here.

If a business that stores your personal data notifies you that it has been the victim of a data breach, it’s a good idea to check your Equifax Credit Report ASAP which you can obtain for free here. You may also want to consider taking out a subscription plan from Equifax which includes Credit Alerts and Identity monitoring services. Credit alerts can provide an early warning if someone tries to apply for credit in your name. Identity monitoring means you will be notified if Equifax discovers your personal information is being illegally traded online.

You can also place a ban on your Credit Report  to help prevent fraudulent accounts being opened in your name. While a ban is in force, credit providers cannot view your Credit Report without your specific written permission.

Learn more: OAIC fact sheet on data breach guidance for consumers