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:

• lost or stolen, contact the issuer immediately. For example, this might include:
  • VicRoads(opens in a new window)
  • The Australian Passport Office(opens in a new window), or
  • Other service provider.
• stolen, report the theft to:
  • The Police Assistance Line website(opens in a new window) or phone 131 444
  • Phone or visit your local police station(opens in a new window).
• digitally accessed:
  • Visit the Victorian Government’s How to report cybercrime and online scams page.
    

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

• Information leaks and data breaches. Learn what an information leak is and how you can protect yourself. Information from the Victorian Government.
• Avoid, report and recover from cyber-crime(opens in a new window). Information from the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
• How to respond to a data breach notification(opens in a new window). Advice from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
• IDCARE(opens in a new window)’s case managers can advise on how to respond to data breaches and identity theft.
• Kids Helpline(opens in a new window) free, confidential online and phone counselling. This service is available for young people aged up to 25. You can also phone them on 1800 55 1800.
• List of counselling and support services(opens in a new window) from the eSafety Commissioner. These services may be able to help you to deal with the impact.

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:

• Access to information kept by the Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages
• Privacy policy

Family violence support services

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:

• Email: bdm.koori@dgs.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)
• Access our Aboriginal services