Safe surfing starts with a secure system - visit www.netsafe.org.nz How to prevent identity crime

  • Security of personal and business information is critical. Criminals commonly rummage through the rubbish bins looking for personal identifying data that they can steal and use to commit fraud and other offences in your name.

  • Take time to shred or destroy old bank statements, credit card bills, utility bills or other documents to prevent this material falling into the hands of criminals.

  • Be careful to whom you give personal information. If you have to reveal personal information, ask some questions about the security of the information and be very cautious giving out any information over the phone of Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.

  • Guard your mail from theft by securing your letterbox. Criminals value your mail and will use it to commit fraud with your accounts or open loans or credit in your name.

  • Minimise your identification and the number of cards you carry in your wallet to what you actually need.

  • Check your bank and credit card statements to make sure there are no unauthorised transactions - this may be the first sign someone has stolen your identity.


If you believe that you, or your business, have become a victim of identity crime, or that your name or someone else's has been used for criminal purposes, you should report the matter immediately to your local police.


Why you should protect your identity

In the course of a busy day, you may write a cheque, call home on your mobile phone, apply for a new credit card or order tickets online.

Chances are you don't give these everyday transactions a second thought. But someone else may.

There is a new variety of crook called a identity thief. His or her stock in trade is your everyday transaction. Each transaction requires you to share personal information whether it be your credit card number, home address, telephone number or social security number.

An identity thief co-opts some piece of your personal information and appropriates it without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.


Identity fraud

"Identity fraud" generally involves the gaining of money, goods, services or other bene.ts through the use of a false identity and can include, but is not limited to, the following types of criminal activity:

  • Counterfeiting and "skimming" of credit cards;
  • The use of stolen credit cards or credit card numbers;
  • Fraudulently obtaining money, loans, finance and credit;
  • Fraudulently obtaining benefits, pensions or entitlements;and
  • Evading the payment of taxes, levies or other debts.


Identity theft

"Identity theft" is the a takeover of a person's identity by utilising stolen personal information, or fraudulently obtained, forged or stolen identity documents.

Identity theft often results in the takeover of a victim's existing bank accounts or by the fraudulent operation of new accounts opened by the perpetrator in the victim's name.

Identity theft brings with it additional problems of victimisation for the person whose name has been "stolen". These problems centre on the victim undoing the damage that has been caused to their name and reputation.

Many victims need to expend large amounts of time and resources convincing banks , financial institutions and other agencies that they were not responsible for the fraudulent activity that occurred in their name. Many victims have also found difficulty in restoring their credit rating to what it was prior to the theft of their name. In instances where the name stolen is that of a deceased person, the surviving relatives effectively become the victims and can experience similar difficulties and associated emotional trauma.


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8325 since 9 Apr 2006