According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), its Scamwatch website has received over 24,000 reports of identity fraud through stolen personal information this year alone, an increase of 55 per cent compared with the same time last year.
Australians reported losing more than $22 million to scammers who committed identity theft and stole their personal information, with people aged 25-34 losing personal information more than any other age group.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, with more people working and socialising online, we have unfortunately seen a sharp increase in scammers seeking personal information,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said in a recent ACCC press release.
“Personal information, such as bank and superannuation details or passwords, are extremely valuable and scammers will try to steal them for their own financial gain. Our increased use of technology has created more opportunities for them to do so.”
“Scammers will also try and steal a range of other documents, or the numbers associated with them, including passports, driver licences, credit cards, tax statements, utility bills or Medicare cards so that they can impersonate you,” Ms Rickard said.
Phishing scams, the most common form of scam, are up by 44 per cent compared with the same time last year. Scammers pretend to be from government departments and businesses, like the ATO, myGov, Telstra or the NBN, to gain bank account details and other information about a person that can be used to impersonate them and thus commit identity fraud.
Once a scammer has that information, they can then use it to access individuals’ bank accounts or superannuation, take out loans under their names and impersonate them on social media to try to get money from family and friends.
“Never give your personal or financial information to anyone you don’t know or trust via email, text, social media or over the phone,” Ms Rickard said.
Top 5 tips to protect your personal information:
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Don’t be pressured into giving away any personal information by someone who has contacted you, no matter who they say they are.
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Don’t click on links in unexpected emails or messages, even if it appears to have come from a legitimate source.
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Use strong passwords for your accounts and internet network, and never share them with others.
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Install anti-virus software on your devices and keep it up to date.
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Limit what personal information you share about yourself online, including on social media.
How can Duxton Hill’s expert fraud investigators and fraud lawyers help?
If you believe you are a victim of identity fraud, do not hesitate to contact the experienced fraud investigators and specialist fraud lawyers at Duxton Hill for advice immediately. Our team are dedicated to helping victims of fraud and those accused of fraud to understand the variety of claims or defences available. Our team consists of criminal defence lawyers, asset recovery lawyers and cybercrime lawyers that help our clients to achieve positive and decisive outcomes. If you are considering reporting fraud and need the assistance of fraud investigators and fraud lawyers, contact Duxton Hill lawyers.
Author – Shane Ringin, Head of Investigations, Duxton Hill