Identity theft What is identity theft? Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information (e.g. your name, tax file number, credit card numbers or other identifying information) without your permission to fraudulently establish a new account, apply for a loan, gain access to an existing account or commit other crimes. How does identity theft occur? Identity thieves may use a variety of methods to access your personal information. Often, they: - Steal wallets and purses containing your personal identification (e.g. driver’s license or Medicare card) and credit or bank cards
- Steal your mail, which may include bank and credit card statements, tax information and pre-approved credit offers
- Break into your home and steal personal information
- Use personal information you reveal on the internet (e.g. on your personal website, blogs, forums or social networking sites)
What you can do to protect yourself Protecting your information and your card - Sign the back of your card once as soon as you receive it and keep it secure
- Make sure you destroy unwanted old bank statements or other correspondence containing personal information rather than disposing of it in a bin for collection
- Don’t put sensitive information (e.g. your full name, date or birth or address) on websites that are available to the public, e.g. Facebook or MySpace.
- Don’t forget to take your card back after using it in a store
- Hold onto your purchase receipts after checking them against your statement
- Destroy expired cards
- Check your local credit agency at least once a year to ensure that no one has used your name to borrow money or run up large debts
Show more tips Protecting your PINs and passwords - If your card is lost or stolen, or someone becomes aware of your PIN number of password, report it immediately
- Never write down and carry your PIN or passwords or save them on a mobile phone or other device. Select a PIN that is easy to remember, but difficult for anyone else to guess.
- Never disclose your PIN or password to somebody who has phoned you. You can only be sure that the person you are talking to is from your financial institution if you placed the call yourself. GE Money will never call you and ask for your password.
- Make sure you clear you postal mailbox regularly, especially when you‘re expecting important mail, e.g. new credit cards or PINs.
- When using an ATM, make sure that no one is able to see your PIN number.
Show more tips Remember: You may be held liable for any unauthorized transactions on your account if you have your card and PIN together at the time of loss or theft. | |
