Potential Identity Theft. What to Do?

LKaines on 28/10/2015 - 10:39
Last edited 28/10/2015 - 20:26 by 1 other user

Hi OZB community,

We recently had mail stolen from our mailbox, without going into detail (not relevant) I know that the mail stolen contains the following personal details (it was new homeloan contract information)

• Current address / new address
• full name (both partner and I)
• Dob's
• Employer details + employee time
• Our bank details (no account numbers, just who we bank with)
• Loan amounts
• Phone numbers + email address

Bit paranoid that it's quite a bit of information and if the intent was there, could be used to potentially try to access our bank or used for identity theft (unknown loans taken out under our names / centrelink payments etc. etc. etc.)

Just wondering if anyone has ever had this happen to them, and what can be done? Any pre-emptive advice or alternatively how liable are you if someone takes your identify?

Thanks muchly

• 

  nocure on 28/10/2015 - 10:40

  Lock your letterbox.

  • Kaines on 28/10/2015 - 10:42 Comment score below threshold.
    • 

      Cheeper on 28/10/2015 - 11:01

      His advice was relevant and helpful. How was he to know you already had it locked?

      If someone starts using your id, which is most unlikely, report it immediately, that is all you can do.
      In most cases your liability is zero unless you can be found to be purposely negligent.

      Positive solution??… Get a PO box.

      • 

        Kaines on 28/10/2015 - 19:02

        -2

        It wasn't helpful. My letterbox is secure & my information has already being stolen, it's to do with pro-actively trying to prevent them from doing malicious things with that information or trying to reduce the risk if they do do malicious things. Pull you head in and read the post.

      • 

        Cheeper on 28/10/2015 - 22:36

        +1

        @khaynes:
        LOL………
        ….and I ask you again, how was anyone to know that you had a locking letterbox already??

    • 

      Dumax on 28/10/2015 - 12:18

      +2

      An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure…

• 

  ozssc on 28/10/2015 - 12:07

  +6

  Consider subscribing to a credit report alert (not cheap though at around $80 p.a. e.g. Veda). If someone stole your identity and they apply for finance, a credit check will be done and you will be immediately notified by email/sms. This gives you the opportunity to stop the application from proceeding (and to have the culprits arrested)!

  • 

    Kaines on 28/10/2015 - 18:56

    Good call! thanks :)

• 

  SirFlibbled on 28/10/2015 - 13:29

  +2

  Call iDCare.. http://www.idcare.org

  It's a free identity theft service that can provide you with professional advice.

  • 

    Kaines on 28/10/2015 - 18:56

    Will look into it - thank you muchly!