Parking fine reveals identity theft problem that costs $1.6 billion a year
A man realised his identity had been stolen after receiving a fine for a car that he doesn’t own.
As he filed a statement at the police station, he was told by police that this happens “all the time”.
Identity fraud is an offence that is easy and common as of late.
Estimates by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department indicate that identity crime costs Australia upwards of $1.6 billion a year, with the majority ($900 million) being lost by individuals through credit card fraud, identity theft and scams.
“Your identity is one of the most valuable things you have. Being able to prove who you are is important for most aspects of your life – from getting a home loan to starting a new job to buying something online,” said NSW’s Financial Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett to news.com.au.
“Your identity can be stolen if criminals gain access to personal documents, such as your passport, driver's licence or utility bills.
“We know mail theft is the start of a greater fraud problem and once your identity has been compromised, it is a difficult process to reclaim it.”
There are a number of measures you can take to protect yourself against identity theft.
- Clear the mail daily
- Dispose of unwanted mail in a way that makes sure no one else can make use of it (shredding etc)
- Ensure your mailbox is in good condition
It’s said that identity crime continues to be a key enabler of serious and organised crime, which in turn costs Australia around $15 billion a year.