Identity theft.
Your name. Your bank details. Your whole life. That’s what identity thieves are after.
These scammers don’t want your password — they want your whole persona. Once they’ve got your details, they can pretend to be you to open bank accounts, rack up debt, claim benefits, and more. You might not even know it’s happened until the bills start arriving or your credit score nosedives.
Sounds dramatic? It is. But the good news is there are ways to stop it.
How does identity theft work?
Identity theft, otherwise known as identity fraud, start with your personal info – your name, address, licence, tax file number, bank details. Scammers collect these through all sorts of sneaky tricks, then use them to impersonate you.
They might:
- open a credit card or take out a loan
- access your bank or super accounts
- apply for a rental property
- steal your tax return
- commit crimes in your name.
The scariest part? It often happens quietly – you may not find out until serious damage has already been done.
What do identity theft scams look like?
Here’s how scammers get your details and commit identity fraud without you even realising:
The fake job ad.
You apply for a too-good-to-be-true role. The scammer asks for your TFN, driver’s licence or bank details for a ‘background check’. Boom – they’ve got everything
they need.
The dodgy link.
You get an email or text that looks like it’s from your bank or the ATO. It asks you to ‘verify’ your details – but it’s just a trap to harvest your info.
The lost wallet trick.
You lose your wallet or ID. Someone finds it…and uses it to set up fake accounts under your name.
The over-sharing trap.
You post your birthday, pet's name, and location on social media. That’s gold for scammers trying to crack your passwords or security questions.
Spot the identity theft red flags.
Scammers are sneaky, but their tactics leave clues. Keep an eye out for:
Weird bills or charges.
Are you getting bills or debt collection notices for things you never bought? Red flag – check your account for purchases you don’t remember and contact your bank.
Unexpected credit checks.
Have you been notified about a credit check or account application you didn’t make? Red flag.
Strange logins.
Are you getting alerts about account logins from unknown devices or places? Red flag.
Missing mail.
Has it been a bit since your last bank statement or have other important letters gone missing? Red flag.
Your credit score tanks.
Has your credit taken a dive off a cliff for no reason? Red flag, do some investigation.
What identity theft scams are out there?
Scammers steal your personal details, then use them to open accounts, apply for loans, or go on a spending spree under your name.
It’s sneaky, stressful, and can leave a financial mess that’s not quick to clean up. Here are some of the most common methods used by identity thieves:
Fake job advertisements.
Scammers post dream jobs that look too good to be true, because they are. Instead of offering you work, they’re fishing for your personal info.
Think Tax File Number, bank details, even your driver’s licence. All under the excuse of ‘background checks’.
Phishing emails and text messages.
Looks like it’s from your bank. Or the ATO. Or Netflix. But it’s not. These messages want you to ‘click to verify’ so they can swipe your personal info on a fake site that looks scarily real.
Stolen or lost ID documents.
Lost your wallet? Someone else might’ve just gained access to your identity. Scammers use stolen IDs to open accounts, apply for loans, or worse – sell your details on the dark web.
Social media data harvesting.
Scammers are low-key stalking your socials. Your birthday, dog’s name, favourite band – it’s all gold for guessing security questions or building a fake you.
Impersonation via fraudulent services.
That ‘credit repair’ service or dodgy looking visa help site? It might be nothing more than a scam built to collect your personal info and run.
Data breaches and leaked information.
Even big, legit companies get hacked. When they do, your personal data can end up in the wrong hands – and scammers love piecing it together like a jigsaw puzzle to pull off identity theft.
How to protect yourself from identity theft.
You don’t have to go off-grid – just stay sharp and keep your info on a tight leash:
- Don’t share personal info unless you know who you’re dealing with.
- Shred or destroy personal documents before binning them.
- Use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication.
- Be wary of emails or texts asking for personal info – even if they look official.
- Lock your letterbox and keep your ID somewhere safe.
- Don’t overshare on socials – scammers love clues.
- Check your credit report regularly.
At ME, we know how slick and convincing scams can be, and we’re committed to keeping you one step ahead of fraudsters.
We keep you in the loop with up-to-date alerts on the latest scams making the rounds. Check out our latest scam alerts to stay informed.
Knowledge is mightier than the keyboard. Something feeling a bit shady? Visit our Protect Yourself page and shine a light on it.
If in doubt, call ME on 13 15 65
Think you've been targeted?
It’s scary, but not hopeless.
If you think someone’s stolen your identity:
Here's what to do.
Cut contact immediately
If you're in touch with the scammer, stop immediately.
Report it.
Let the right people know.
ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) If the scam involved financial services.
Scamwatch To help track and prevent future scams.
Talk to us We may be able to stop or recover transactions.
Change your passwords.
Especially for banking, email and myGov.
Check your credit report.
Look for accounts you didn’t open.
Let your bank and other institutions know.
They can help secure your accounts and stop further damage.