Identity crime
Identity crime is a critical threat to our community. It generates large profits for offenders while causing major financial losses to the Australian Government, private industry and individuals.
If a criminal can access your identity, they can do a number of things in your name, including:
- apply for a credit card
- open a bank or building society account
- apply for other financial services
- run up debts
- apply for government benefits
- apply for a driver's licence
- register a vehicle
- apply for a job
- apply for a passport
- apply for a mobile phone contract.
You may become a victim of identity theft if documents such as your passport or driver's licence have been lost or stolen.
You may already be a victim of identity theft if:
- there are items on your bank or credit card statements that you don’t recognise
- you apply for a government benefit but are told that you are already claiming
- you get bills, invoices or receipts addressed to you for goods or services you haven't bought
- you have been refused a financial service, such as a credit card or a loan, despite having a good credit history
- a mobile phone contract has been set up in your name without your consent
- you have received letters from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that aren't yours.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Scamwatch service has information about new methods of identity crime and emerging scams.
Reporting identity crime
If you think you've been the victim of identity crime, report it to your local police131 444.
To report a scam, either:
Your report may be referred to us for investigation.
If you suspect someone has been falsifying travel or visa documents for citizenship or residency:
Find out more about identity crime and how to protect yourself from it at