Identity Care Australia and New Zealand Limited (IDCARE) is a not-for-profit charity and support service for data breaches and cyber incidents. In 2023 alone Australians lost $2.7 billion dollars to scams. IDCARE offers free specialist Identity and Cyber Security Case Management to support people. Their service involves consulting individually with each client to conduct risk identification and deliver a personalised response, with suggested measures to mitigate current and future risks.
We sat down with the IDCARE team to understand more about the work they’re doing and any advice they have for Australians to better protect themselves.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about IDCARE; how it started and why it’s different?
A: IDCARE was founded by its Managing Director, Professor David Lacey in 2014. IDCARE’s core service offering is our call centre staffed by specialist identity and cyber security counsellors who provide tailored guidance and support to the community on how to respond to data breaches, scams, identity theft and other cyber security concerns.
We are a not-for-profit charity that was formed to address a critical support gap for individuals confronting identity and cyber security concerns. This gap requires specialist Identity & Cyber Security Case Managers and Analysts that apply a human-centered approach to identity and cyber security. This means we place the concerns and needs of the individual at the centre of everything we do, not the technology or process.
Q: What types of scams are there?
A: When it comes to scams, there are quite a few types to be aware of. From the more well-known SMS and telephone scams, to travel visa scams and social media account hacking. To learn more about the different types of scams, check out our guides.
Q: What does identity theft mean?
A: Identity theft is a type of fraud that involves the use of someone’s personal information. Identity theft can occur online or offline or a combination of both. Common credentials targeted include driver licences, passports, Medicare cards and bank account details.
Q: What are some common signs of identity compromise and misuse?
A: Some key things to watch out for when it comes to identity are:
- Lost or stolen identity credentials (e.g. passport, driver licence).
- Mail ceasing to arrive at your address.
- Items appearing on bank/credit card statements that you don’t recognise.
- Bills, invoices or receipts addressed to you for goods or services you haven’t asked for.
- Debt collectors contacting you regarding purchases or loans you did not make.
Q: What are some tips for people to better protect themselves against identity crime?
A: There are many ways to increase your safety online. A few that come to mind are:
- Start the conversation at home, discussing the risks and raising concerns so family and friends are aware of potential scams.
- Avoid the pressure to respond straight away if you receive a suspicious phone call, text message or email.
- Don’t take the bait – stop, pause and seek help from others if you are unsure.
- Use multi-factor (two or multi verification steps) for logins . Learn more about that here
- Use different passwords
- Run anti-virus software and update apps and operating systems
Read more here.
Q: What type of support is provided by IDCARE?
A: The services we provide are free to individuals in the community who have been impacted by these events. IDCARE also offers a range of premium services to organisations in cyber resilience planning, data breach response and post-incident review.
In the course of many scams, driver licences, passports and credit cards are often exposed. To help minimise the impact of identity theft, we recommend remedial action such as checking credit reports and putting in place credit bans. Our Learning Centre houses lots of fact sheets on how to obtain free credit reports (looking for unexplained enquiries and transactions) and getting bans in place. Speaking with your financial institution is also recommended in exploring whether additional security is needed on your accounts.
Q: So if I think I’ve been a victim of identity theft, what should I do?
A: In Australia, we have state and territory police, the Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Cyber Security Centre which operates ReportCyber. It can be hard to know where and how to report a cyber or identity crime. Our fact sheet provides some basic information on the roles of each of the above, and links to where you can find out more. In all cases, if you believe there is an immediate threat to life or risk of harm, call 000.
Every case is different however in general you should consider:
- Calling your bank without delay. Criminals are mostly after your hard-earned money.
- Contacting IDCARE.org as your one-stop-shop and get your own tailored Response Plan.
For additional support or information, contact IDCARE by submitting a Get Help Form or call 1800 595 160 (Aus) or 0800 121 068 (NZ).