Protect your identity

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is when a person uses someone else's identity to:

  • Gain money, goods, services and other benefits, or
  • Avoid legal obligations by using that false identity.

Identity thieves use everyday documents to create your identity. These documents may include your:

  • Birth certificate
  • Passport
  • Driver licence
  • Bills

The tips on this page may help you to keep these documents safe.

Tips to keep your identity safe

Do

  • Install and keep antivirus, spyware and firewall software up-to-date
  • Familiarise yourself with trusted sources to avoid cyber-crime
  • Shred or tear documents containing personal information before throwing them in the rubbish.
  • Secure or lock your mailbox.

Don't

  • Don't hand over personal documents or information unless the reason is clear to you
  • Don't leave personal documents lying around the home or in the car.
  • Don't carry identification documents, such as a birth certificate or passport, unless you need them that day.

What to do after a data breach

A data breach is when personal or confidential information is accessed or used without authorisation.

If your identity document has been:

My certificate has been lost or stolen. What do I do?

Contact our Integrity Team if a document we issued has been accessed, lost or stolen. This includes birth certificates. Email bdmfraud@dgs.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window).

Support services – If you think your identity information has been accessed or stolen

BDM access and privacy policies

BDM applies privacy and security measures to protect the information we hold against:

  • Misuse
  • Loss
  • Unauthorised access, or
  • Unauthorised disclosure.

Learn more about:

Family violence support services

If someone is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000) and ask for police.

If you or someone you know needs help, there is a wide range of family violence support services(opens in a new window).

Services Australia has information about Keeping your information safe when leaving a relationship.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander services

The Marguk-bulok koolin-ik Team (Aboriginal Outreach) are here for mob. To get in touch please:

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