Government introduces new laws to tackle growing cybercrime—here's how they plan to protect you
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Identity theft is a growing concern, with more Australians falling victim to cyber-scams each year.
The New South Wales government is stepping up efforts to protect residents from this alarming trend.
A new legislative push aims to tackle the issue head-on, offering enhanced security measures for those at risk.
The NSW government was set to introduce significant changes to protect individuals at risk of identity fraud, following the alarming loss of more than $2 billion to cyber-scams across Australia in 2024.
On 7 March, the government planned to bring forward legislation aimed at establishing a new fraud check service, which would allow accredited agencies, including government bodies, to confirm whether a person’s ID details had been compromised.
The legislation, known as the Identity Protection and Recovery Bill, was designed to help prevent criminals from misusing personal information to apply for credit or grants, while strengthening efforts to help people safeguard their ID and avoid scams through ID Support NSW.
Digital Government Minister Jihad Dib commented on the legislation, stating that it would provide critical protection to NSW residents against cybercriminals and identity theft.
'These new laws will help safeguard NSW residents against cyber criminals and the scourge of identity theft, especially when it targets our most vulnerable citizens who can least afford it,' Mr Dib said.
He also added that early alerts would help residents secure their identity and replace any compromised documents, making it harder for criminals to impersonate them and carry out fraud.
The legislation included provisions for a Compromised Credential Register, designed to flag when stolen or compromised ID documents were being used, allowing both individuals and agencies to be notified.
The Compromised Credential Register would send immediate alerts when ID details, such as a driver’s license number or personal information found on the dark web, were detected.
First launched in 2021, ID Support NSW notified residents of data breaches and offered assistance in replacing government-issued documents that had been compromised.
Under the new bill, ID Support NSW was designated as the 'core government provider of identity protection and recovery services,' further expanding its role in combatting identity theft.
The service would oversee the Compromised Credential Register, offering fraud checks for documents like NSW driver’s licenses and photo cards.
Once it was established that an ID document had been compromised, both the individual and the relevant issuing authority would receive notifications, helping them take action swiftly.
In response to growing concerns about identity fraud and cybercrime, these legislative measures were poised to provide much-needed protection for NSW residents.
In a previous story, we explored the increasing risks of cybercrime and how small habits can put your data at risk.
To help you stay one step ahead, we've highlighted three risky settings that you need to turn off right away.
Make sure you're taking the necessary steps to protect yourself—read more here.
As identity theft continues to rise, how prepared do you feel to protect your personal information? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
The New South Wales government is stepping up efforts to protect residents from this alarming trend.
A new legislative push aims to tackle the issue head-on, offering enhanced security measures for those at risk.
The NSW government was set to introduce significant changes to protect individuals at risk of identity fraud, following the alarming loss of more than $2 billion to cyber-scams across Australia in 2024.
On 7 March, the government planned to bring forward legislation aimed at establishing a new fraud check service, which would allow accredited agencies, including government bodies, to confirm whether a person’s ID details had been compromised.
The legislation, known as the Identity Protection and Recovery Bill, was designed to help prevent criminals from misusing personal information to apply for credit or grants, while strengthening efforts to help people safeguard their ID and avoid scams through ID Support NSW.
NSW to introduce new fraud protection laws. Image source: Pexels/Antoni Shkraba Studio
Digital Government Minister Jihad Dib commented on the legislation, stating that it would provide critical protection to NSW residents against cybercriminals and identity theft.
'These new laws will help safeguard NSW residents against cyber criminals and the scourge of identity theft, especially when it targets our most vulnerable citizens who can least afford it,' Mr Dib said.
He also added that early alerts would help residents secure their identity and replace any compromised documents, making it harder for criminals to impersonate them and carry out fraud.
The legislation included provisions for a Compromised Credential Register, designed to flag when stolen or compromised ID documents were being used, allowing both individuals and agencies to be notified.
The Compromised Credential Register would send immediate alerts when ID details, such as a driver’s license number or personal information found on the dark web, were detected.
First launched in 2021, ID Support NSW notified residents of data breaches and offered assistance in replacing government-issued documents that had been compromised.
Under the new bill, ID Support NSW was designated as the 'core government provider of identity protection and recovery services,' further expanding its role in combatting identity theft.
The service would oversee the Compromised Credential Register, offering fraud checks for documents like NSW driver’s licenses and photo cards.
Once it was established that an ID document had been compromised, both the individual and the relevant issuing authority would receive notifications, helping them take action swiftly.
In response to growing concerns about identity fraud and cybercrime, these legislative measures were poised to provide much-needed protection for NSW residents.
In a previous story, we explored the increasing risks of cybercrime and how small habits can put your data at risk.
To help you stay one step ahead, we've highlighted three risky settings that you need to turn off right away.
Make sure you're taking the necessary steps to protect yourself—read more here.
As identity theft continues to rise, how prepared do you feel to protect your personal information? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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