Identity theft

Identity theft is where a person obtains or deals with another entity’s identification information for committing, or facilitating the commission of an indictable offence. It also extends to creating a totally fictitious identity and representing them to be that person. 

It is an offence against the Queensland Criminal Code 1899 S408D - Obtaining or dealing with identity information.

How does this work?

The identity of individuals, businesses and organisations are stolen daily. Web sites are devoted to the buying and selling of stolen identities and the documents required to set up bank accounts, take out loans, mortgages etc. Identity fraud is a major business with serious consequences to the victims.

The criminal uses the stolen identity to create bank accounts and take out loans in the name of the victim and they expend all the money they can access. The legitimate identity owner is presented with the account and in some instance face debt collectors.

How do I protect myself?

• Refer to the national identity and support agency, IdCare, a not-for-profit organisation specialising in providing support for those who are the victim of identity theft and its consequences. IdCare is a free service to consumers.
• Treat your personal documentation with the same level of security as cash
• Do not carry all your personal documents with you.
• Regularly check bank accounts for suspicions transactions including transactions for $1.00 which is a sign a fraudster is making an online transaction testing whether the account number they have is valid or not.
• Shred, burn or otherwise destroy documents such as accounts when they are no longer required.
• Do not throw personal documents and accounts into the rubbish as criminals are known to go through rubbish bins at night.
• Secure your personal documents at home and avoid leaving them where an opportunist thief may take them.
• Cut up credit cards when expired or no longer required
• Register with a credit reporting agency and obtain a free annual report where you can see who has been requesting a credit report on you
• Register for an alert from the credit reporting agency where you are alerted any time a new credit check is carried out on your identity. This provides you the opportunity to immediately advise the agency if you are unaware of the party making inquiries on you.

             Equifax       Experian        illion