Protect your identity online

Safeguard your online account details by following this simple advice:

• Keep separate passwords for each online account.
• Use a unique password which is difficult to guess. A random combination of letters and numbers is best.
• Change your password regularly (at least every three months).
• Keep your computer’s anti-virus, anti-spam and other security software up to date. For more information read about computer security.
• Never email any personal information like your eBay account details (username and password) or bank account numbers.
• Never provide your eBay username and password to non-eBay websites.
• Never download email attachments sent by someone you do not know.
• Monitor your online account statements regularly and if you spot any suspicious activity notify officials.

Protect your identity offline

Protecting your identity offline is just as important as protecting it online. To help prevent offline identity theft follow these precautions:

• Lock your mailbox and collect your mail every day.
• Shred potentially sensitive information such as unneeded tax records and bank or credit card statements, instead of just throwing them out.
• Refuse to give out personal financial information to unknown callers or salespeople over the phone, on the internet or in person.
• Carry only the credit cards that you need on a regular basis and never carry PINs or passwords along with the cards they activate.
• Check your credit card statements (and other statements eg telephone, electricity and gas).
• Register for electronic statements for banking and credit card accounts. This eliminates the risk of paper statements being stolen.
• Keep sight of your credit card when paying for something.
• Sign new or renewed credit cards immediately.
• Close bank and credit card accounts that you are not using.
• Subscribe to Baycorp Advantage’s My Credit Alert which will tell you if someone is obtaining credit using your name.
• Lock away sensitive personal information in a secure filing cabinet at home.
• Contact your bank, credit agency or any card issuer (such as Medicare, the RTA, etc) immediately if cards are lost or stolen.

If you are a victim of identity theft contact your local police and report the crime. The Australian Crime Commission also operates the Identity Protection Register – obtain more info by calling (02) 6243 6666.