People need to better protect themselves against credit fraud, writes Michael Lund YOUR birthday could lose you everything
Too often a date of birth is all that an organisation asks as a security check to confirm your identity
Other typical so-called security questions include your home town, mother's maiden name or favourite film
Yet much of this information easily can be obtained by someone looking to steal your identity
It is the sort of personal information plastered on many personal websites or profiles on social networking sites
Other identifying information can be found on paperwork that people throw in the waste bin
Determined crooks think nothing of rummaging through rubbish bins if they think there is something to gain
Passport numbers, tax file numbers, driver's licence details and even banking details can all be found in the bin
Simple computer technology then can be used to forge documents that can be used to apply for loans, bank accounts and credit and store cards in your name
Once they can convince an organisation they are you, they can access your bank or credit accounts, even authorise new loans and accounts in your name with credit suppliers
Those accounts can be plundered leaving you with a bad credit record
Roderic Graham, 33, from the Gold Coast, first became aware something was wrong when he received a letter about a car he had never bought
"It was just a letter in the mail to say I'd bought a new car and I'd have to start paying for it," he says
Speeding, parking and other fines soon followed and he says it took him several months to convince police he was not responsible for the offences
"You try to prove your innocence and they think you're just trying to get out of paying your bills," Graham says
A total of $100,000 of debt was racked up by someone who had stolen his identity, including driver's licence and a $20,000 limit credit card
The culprit later was revealed as a bikie who was jailed later for murder, wounding and bashing last year
Graham still does not know how the man stole his identity
"He knows where I live and everything," he says
"You keep wondering if you're going to get a knock on the door from the other bikies
"It's bad enough when it happened to me (ID theft) but when it's a violent, aggressive group of people, they're not the type of people you want to have all your details." The dangers of ID theft were part of an Identity Fraud Awareness campaign launched recently
The aim is to make people more aware of risks, and to provide tips on how to keep personal information safe from crooks
Graham's case is not unique
Personal fraud is now regarded as the fastest growing crime in Australia with an estimated cost of $1 billion to the economy, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics
The bureau's Personal Fraud Survey, released in June, found about half a million people had been victim of identity fraud, with more than three-quarters involving credit or bankcard fraud
Detective Superintendent Brian Hay says people need to be more guarded over their personal information to protect against identity theft
"I never let my credit card out of my sight," says the head of the police fraud and corporate crime group
"There's no such thing as putting it on a plate and letting someone take it away." Hay says crooks will try almost anything to steal information and most people's security systems are vulnerable to attack
Organised criminal gangs also use international networks to exploit any weakness or loophole, with identities traded for a few thousand dollars
Police and security experts have been warning people for years to do more to protect their personal and financial information
While part of the problem can be blamed on people who do little or nothing, organisations also could do more to toughen security measures
The trouble here, say consumer groups, is that people have become used to the convenience of doing things quickly and easily and are already PIN and password weary
Choice's Christopher Zinn says tougher security checks should be welcomed as long as they do not become a burden for consumers
"The problem is we have to do it in ways that people can understand and remember," he says
"We already have so many PIN numbers we become blase and use the same number." Some organisations allow people to choose their own security questions, leaving birthdays and maiden names to be revealed openly without fear they could be used against them
Zinn says people also should be very cautious about giving any personal information to any organisation unless they are convinced it can look after that information safely
There is always a fine line between convenience and security, especially when it comes to organisations storing things such as credit card details
Queensland Consumers Association president Cherie Dalley discovered an unauthorised payment on her credit card from an organisation she dealt with once before
After contacting the organisation she got her money back -- she also cancelled the credit card
Dalley says consumers need to be more vigilant and keep watch on their financial records
"Consumers have rights
"They also have responsibilities and protecting yourself is a big responsibility," she says
Tips * Shred all bills, bank and credit card statements and any paperwork with tax file number or personal/bank account details
* Shred or cut up expired credit and membership cards
* Lock your mailbox, especially if you live somewhere with multiple mailboxes and be careful about who has access to your rubbish bins
* Check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorised transactions
* If you move house, make sure you update your old address details so new owners or tenants do not have access to your mail. And get Australia Post to forward any mail to you
* Install up-to-date anti-virus software, anti-spyware software and a personal firewall on your computer, and regularly scan your machine for infection
www.stopidtheft.com.au
