An Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce initiative

Are you leaving your personal data wide open for scammers to find and use for fraudulent purposes? Sadly, identity theft is now one of the most common crimes in Australia, and can lead to all sorts of associated illegal activities.

Scammers steal your personal details to commit fraudulent activities. They may make unauthorised purchases on your credit card, or use your identity to open accounts such as banking, telephone or energy services. They might take out loans or carry out other illegal business under your name. They may even sell your information to other scammers for further illegal use.

These days scammers are after more than just financial information. All your personal details including photos, date of birth, home address, Tax File Number and driver’s license numbers are valuable to scammers. These are your unique identification records that are often used to verify who you are.

Having your identity stolen can be both financially and emotionally devastating. It can take months to reclaim your identity and the impact of having it stolen can last for years.

National Consumer Fraud Week 2015 is all about learning how to keep your personal data safe from scammers, and prevent identity theft from happening to you.

Follow SCAMwatch's top 6 'protect yourself' tips to leave scammers out in the cold

  1. Keep your personal details secure
    Your postal mail and your online presence are the first place a scammer will look to piece together your details. Lock your mailbox, and shred your bills and other important documents before throwing out. Be careful sharing information about yourself online, including social media, blogs and other online forums.
  2. Think twice about what you say and do in an online environment
    Whilst there are times when your personal details are required for legitimate reasons, such as signing up to a new service or buying something, always check that the person or organisation is who they say they are. Stop and think before filling in surveys, entering competitions, clicking on links or attachments, or even ‘befriending’, ‘liking’ or ‘sharing’ something.
  3. Keep your mobile devices and computers secure
    These are a treasure trove of personal information for scammers. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to a scammer – always use password protection, don’t share access with others (including remotely), update security software and back up content. Protect your Wi-Fi network with a password and avoid using public computers or Wi-Fi hotspots to access online banking or provide personal information.
  4. Choose your passwords carefully
    Passwords are often the only barrier between scammers and your valuable information. Set and use strong passwords which are difficult to guess, and change them regularly. A strong password should include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Don’t use the same password for every account/profile, and don’t share your passwords with anyone.
  5. Beware of any request for your details or money
    Scammers will try to trick you into handing over your data by using the names of well-known companies or government departments. If you think it’s a scam, DON’T RESPOND. Use the phone book or an online search to check the organisation’s contact details. NEVER use the contact details provided in the original request.
  6. Get a copy of your free credit report
    Your credit report contains information on your credit history. You can get a free copy every year to check that no one is using your name to borrow money or run up debts. Visit ASIC’s MoneySmart website to find out how to get a free copy of your credit report.

If you think your banking details have been misused, you should contact your bank or credit union immediately to let them know. You should also contact iDcare - a free government-industry service which works with you to develop specific response plans to your situation to reduce risk and impact. Visit the iDcare website or call 1300 IDCARE (432273).

More information

For more information on how to get smarter with your data:

  • check out staysmartonline.gov.au for practical tips on how to stay safe online
  • read the Protecting your identity guide
  • If you live in New Zealand, you can report a scam, subscribe to local scam alerts and find out more about scams on New Zealand’s SCAMwatch website.

2015 partners of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce

The work of the Taskforce is greatly assisted by government, business and community group partners. Taskforce partners all recognise the seriousness of consumer fraud in Australasia and are committed to disseminating the Taskforce’s message to Australians during National Consumer Fraud Week.

The work of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce (ACFT) is assisted by a number of government, business and community group partners.

  • American Express
  • ANZ Bank
  • Australia Post
  • Australian Bankers’ Association
  • Australian Department of Human Services
  • Australian Gaming Council
  • Australian National Audit Office
  • Australian Retailers Association
  • Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association
  • Australian Super
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • AVG Technologies
  • Bendigo & Adelaide Bank
  • Blacktown City Libraries
  • BPAY
  • Brotherhood of St Laurence
  • Business Enterprise Centres Australia
  • Car Sales
  • CHOICE
  • Commonwealth Bank
  • Communications Alliance
  • ComSuper
  • Consumer Action Law Centre
  • Consumers Federation of Australia
  • Contact Canberra
  • Cranbourne Information & Support Service
  • Customer Owned Banking Association
  • Deals Direct
  • eBay Australia
  • eHarmony Australia
  • Energy & Water Ombudsman of NSW
  • Energy & Water Ombudsman of Victoria
  • Facebook Australia
  • Financial Counselling Australia
  • Google Australia
  • Gumtree
  • Holiday Coast Credit Union
  • iDcare
  • Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network
  • Laverton Community Centre
  • Liquor Retailers Australia
  • Master Grocers Australia
  • Mastercard
  • Microsoft Australia
  • National Association of Community Legal Centres
  • National Australia Bank
  • National Online Retailers Association
  • Neighbourhood Watch Tweed Heads
  • Netsafe
  • Norton by Symantic
  • NSW Department of Justice
  • Oasis
  • Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
  • Optus
  • Paypal Australia
  • Peninsula Community Legal Centre
  • P&N Bank
  • Qantas
  • RSL NSW
  • RSL SA
  • RSL VIC
  • RSVP
  • Seek
  • Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
  • Telstra
  • The Australian Wagering Council
  • The Honest Conman
  • Trusted Websites Pty Ltd
  • Twitter Australia
  • Western Union
  • Westpac

Read more

Identity theft is a type of fraud that involves using someone else's identity to steal money or gain other benefits.