Tips to avoid identity theft

Identity theft can happen as soon as somebody steals your personal details. It involves the theft of your personal information, including your name, date of birth, address and other details. Fraudsters can use the information to open bank accounts, steal business, apply for a passport, and more. Help avoid becoming a victim of identity theft with the following tips:

• Never give bank account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust.
• Choose passwords that would be difficult to guess, and update them regularly. Don't use the same password for every account, and don't share them with anyone.
• Secure your networks and devices with anti-virus software and a good firewall. Avoid using public computers or Wi-Fi hotspots to access or provide personal information.
• Don’t share personal information on social network sites. Scammers can use your information and pictures to create a fake identity.
• When making online payments, only pay for items using a secure payment service. Good examples are PayPal and Stripe.
• Put a lock on your mailbox and shred any documents containing personal information before disposing of them.
• Get a free copy of your credit report from the ASIC MoneySmart website. Your credit report contains information on your credit history and is useful for checking no one is using your name to borrow money or run up debts.

Visit the ASIC MoneySmart website for more tips on how to protect yourself from identity theft. If you think you are a victim of identity theft read What to do if you are a victim of identity theft.