Government initiative prevents half a million attempts of identity theft
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In an era where personal information is valuable, the threat of identity theft looms large.
However, there's good news on the horizon for Australians concerned about the safety of their sensitive information.
The government's Credential Protection Register blocked 500,000 attempts by nefarious scammers trying to exploit stolen credentials.
The enhanced protections, which act as a digital shield, were a direct response to the massive Optus data breach.
In 2022, personal details of up to 10 million current and former Optus customers fell into the wrong hands due to a ransom attack.
These details included driver's licences, passport numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, and phone numbers.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus highlighted the register's role in disrupting black market trades, which often involve stolen personal documents for illegal activities.
These activities include scams, money laundering, and various forms of fraud, among others.
'While criminals are stopped from inflicting more harm, the credentials on the register can still be used for their primary purpose,' Attorney Dreyfus said.
For instance, if an Australian passport got compromised in a data breach, the rightful owner can still use it.
Meanwhile, any criminal attempting to use that same passport to conduct fraudulent activities would be thwarted.
The Albanese government already earmarked $14 million to further 'enhance the register'.
Upcoming accessibility features should allow individuals with compromised credentials to control when and how their information should be used.
A mobile application is also underway.
'The mobile application will notify individuals in real time if someone is using their identity without their consent,' Attorney Dreyfus added.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data in 2022-2023, under 200,000 Australians have experienced identity theft.
About 71 per cent of the victims were notified by an authority, typically a bank.
One in three people also reported that their stolen data was used to access their finances.
Have you or someone you know experienced identity theft? Share your stories in the comments below.
However, there's good news on the horizon for Australians concerned about the safety of their sensitive information.
The government's Credential Protection Register blocked 500,000 attempts by nefarious scammers trying to exploit stolen credentials.
The enhanced protections, which act as a digital shield, were a direct response to the massive Optus data breach.
In 2022, personal details of up to 10 million current and former Optus customers fell into the wrong hands due to a ransom attack.
Fraudsters have been using stolen data to run illegal activities, which may affect unsuspecting Aussies. Image Credit: Pexels/Pixabay
These details included driver's licences, passport numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, and phone numbers.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus highlighted the register's role in disrupting black market trades, which often involve stolen personal documents for illegal activities.
These activities include scams, money laundering, and various forms of fraud, among others.
'While criminals are stopped from inflicting more harm, the credentials on the register can still be used for their primary purpose,' Attorney Dreyfus said.
For instance, if an Australian passport got compromised in a data breach, the rightful owner can still use it.
Meanwhile, any criminal attempting to use that same passport to conduct fraudulent activities would be thwarted.
The Albanese government already earmarked $14 million to further 'enhance the register'.
Upcoming accessibility features should allow individuals with compromised credentials to control when and how their information should be used.
A mobile application is also underway.
'The mobile application will notify individuals in real time if someone is using their identity without their consent,' Attorney Dreyfus added.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data in 2022-2023, under 200,000 Australians have experienced identity theft.
About 71 per cent of the victims were notified by an authority, typically a bank.
One in three people also reported that their stolen data was used to access their finances.
- Here are some steps you can take to keep your information safe:
- Regularly check your bank statements and credit reports for any unauthorised transactions.
- Use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Consider a password manager to keep track of them.
- Be cautious of phishing attempts. Never click on suspicious links or provide personal information to unverified sources.
- Keep your software and devices updated to protect you against the latest security breaches.
