What is identity theft?

Identity theft refers the fraudulent practice of using another person’s name or other personal information usually for financial gain.

Identity theft can occur in many ways – from somebody using your credit card details illegally to make purchases through to having your entire identity assumed by another person to open bank accounts take out loans and conduct a business in your name.

Why is it such a problem?

In 2007 the Australia Bureau of Statistics conducted a survey on personal fraud. The finding indicated that around half a million Australian three per cent of the population aged 15 years or more experienced some form of identity fraud in the 12 months preceding the survey.

Public perception of the danger of identity theft is even higher. Another national survey found that nine per cent of respondents claimed to have been victims of identity theft and that 60 percent were concerned about becoming a victim. 45 percent of respondents believed that identity theft was likely to occur as a result of using the internet.

How does identity theft happen?
* Your identity is a valuable asset – to both you and criminals.
* You may lose your wallet/purse/handbag or have it stolen – you probably carry more personal information that you realise.
* Your home may be broken into and personal papers stolen.
* Thieves may steal mail from your unsecured letter box.
* Thieves may retrieve information from your recycling or waste paper bin.
* You may provide your personal details over the phone or internet to what may appear to be a legitimate business.
As a customer your details may be stored on a business computer system. This may be illegally accessed by outsiders or worse still corrupt employees may deliberately sell your personal information.

Identity theft checklist

How vulnerable are you?

1. PERSONAL SECURITY YES/NO
Do you carry all of your credit cards ATM cards and store cards in your wall at all times?
Did you let your credit card out of your sight when paying a bill?
Do you leave your personal documents lying around your house or office unsecured?
Do you have your mail delivered to an unlocked home letterbox?
Do you put sensitive papers in your household recycling or garbage bin?
Do you give anyone your credit card details over the phone?
Do you buy goods or services on the internet?

Is it more than a year since you checked your credit report?
2. COMPUTER SECURITY YES/NO
Do you forget to regularly change your Internet Service Provider (ISP)/email password?
Do you keep personal information on your computer’s hard disc?
Is your virus protection software out of date?
Is it more than a fortnight since your have scanned your computer for viruses?
Do you lack a personal firewall protection?
Do you use wireless internet connection with protecting it with a password?
Do you use public access computers?
Do you post personal information on a social networking site?
The greater the number of ‘yes’ responses the more vulnerable you are to become a victim of identity theft

There have been 4 reported cases of Identity Fraud occurring in the Brisbane West Dristrict during February and March.
1. Fraud – Internet Banking $30978 St Lucia
2. Fraud – Internet Banking $18874 Brookfield
3. Fraud – Credit Card $624 Mitchelton
4. Fraud – Credit Card $1175 Mitchelton

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