Australians fell victim to an online scam during last year’s shopping season.
is the average time it takes to realise your data has been stolen.
is the average time victims spend dealing with identity crime.
As digital sales ramp up for the holidays, scammers and cybercriminals are working harder than ever to steal your personal data. Even with the best precautions, it’s hard to prevent your information from being stolen and sold on the dark web - where it can be used for identity theft.
Once a criminal accesses your identity information, they can:

Help protect your identity with an Equifax subscription. Get alerts when there are changes to your credit report, when your information appears on the dark web, or if suspicious activity occurs on your social media accounts. This critical early warning lets you act quickly to stop your data being used for identity crime.
Update to credit file
Notification of data theft
Summary of financial credit history
Source: Equifax Australia Data
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You play a vital role in protecting your own data. Here are 10 quick tips to keep in mind while you shop:
Statistics on this page are sourced from:
IBM Cost of Data Breach Report 2023
2024 Global Holiday Shopping Scams Study, McAfee Corp
The Aust Institute of Criminology (AIC), Australian cybercrime survey, Identity crime and misuse in Australia 2023
Disclaimer: The information provided is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances and, where appropriate, seek professional financial advice.