You may find it helpful to keep a note of all conversations you have, including the date, time, subject, where you called, who you spoke with, and what information you provided.
Your purse, wallet or cards have been lost, misplaced or stolen:
- Contact your bank and other credit providers (including store cards).
- Report loss of documents to relevant government agencies (for example, birth certificate, passport, driver's licence, school or university).
- Report the theft to the police.
Your personal information might have been made available to a third party:
- Inform the credit reporting agency so an alert can be placed on your file.
- Check your bank accounts for unauthorised activity.
- Contact your bank and other credit providers for their advice.
- Contact the ATO for their advice.
Your personal information has been stolen:
- Report it to the police immediately.
- Inform the credit reporting agency so an alert can be placed on your file.
- Contact your bank and other credit providers for their advice.
- Contact the ATO for their advice.
- Contact relevant government agencies for advice (for example, driver's licence).
- Contact your Post Office to check if your mail has been redirected.
Someone is using your identity:
- Inform the credit reporting agency so an alert can be placed on your file.
- Contact your bank and other credit providers to request that unauthorised accounts in your name be closed.
- Contact your Post Office to check if your mail has been redirected.
- Contact the ATO to have your TFN changed.
- Contact relevant government agencies (for example, Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Passport Office, Department of Transport, school or university).
- Contact your utility providers (for example, telephone, mobile phone, electricity and gas) to tell them your identity has been stolen. Cancel any accounts that have been created fraudulently.
- Contact the Australian Federal Police.
You've given your bank account or credit card details to someone you aren't sure of:
- Check your bank accounts for unauthorised activity.
- Contact your bank and other credit providers for advice.
Money is missing from your account:
- Contact your bank and other credit providers.
- Report it to the police.
Your personal internet banking details have been compromised:
- Stop using internet banking.
- Contact your bank to reset your password and verify all recent transactions.
Someone has accessed your computer:
- Disconnect your internet connection and your wireless card.
- Contact a professional to check your system for malware.
- Change all your passwords, including social networking, eBay, and Paypal.
- If you use this computer:
- to lodge your tax returns, contact the ATO for advice
- for internet banking, contact your bank to reset your password and verify all recent transactions.
You are the victim of a scam
If you have been scammed or think you have seen a scam, there are many government agencies in Australia that you can contact for advice or to make a report. Which agency to contact depends on where you live and what type of scam is involved. A complete list of contacts is available at
http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/reportascam
Last Modified: Friday, 27 May 2011