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Identity Assurance Framework
IdentIty theft CheCklIstGuIdanCe for the General publIC
1.0 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................................2
2.0 Case studies ..............................................................................................................................................................3
3.0 Methods for committing identity theft........................................................................................................4 Traditionalwaystoaccesspersonalinformationforidentitytheft .......................................4 Onlinemethodsforstealingpersonalinformation ...............................................................4
4.0 How to prevent identity theft ..........................................................................................................................5
5.0 What to do if you are a victim ..........................................................................................................................6 Lostorstolendocuments ......................................................................................................6 Stolenormisdirectedmail ..................................................................................................11 Suspiciousmailorphonecalls ............................................................................................12 Strangetransactionsorotherconcerns ..............................................................................14
Contents
2 IdentIty assuranCe framework
What is your identity? Who are you?
Youridentityismadeupoffactsabout yourself.Thiscanincludeyourname,life-eventinformationlikeyourdateandplaceofbirth,physiologicalattributes(e.g.yourheightandeyecolour),anduniqueinformationusedbyaspecificagencyororganisation(e.g.customernumber,passportnumber).
Identityinformationisallthefactsyouhavegiventogovernmentagencies,andorganisations,aswellastheinformationyoucreateaboutyourself(e.g.informationsharedonsocialnetworkingwebsites).Itisfact-basedinformationthatmayormaynotchangeovertime.Identityinformationisoftensomethingwetakeforgrantedbutistheinformationthatenablesustodomanyday-to-dayactivities.Withoutidentityinformation,youwouldnotbeabletoopenabankaccountorgetadriverlicenceorapassport.
Identitytheftoccurswhensomeoneusesyouridentityinformation.Often,itisnotuntilsomeonecausesdamagetoyouridentitythatyoubecomeawarethatthethefthasoccurred.Withyouridentityinformation,afraudstercancommitanumberofdifferentcrimesincludingtakingoutloansoraccumulatingspeedingticketsinyourname.Identitytheftcandamageyourpersonalandfinancialreputation.
Tohelpcombatidentitycrime,theGovernmentisimprovingsystemsandprocessesthatinvolveidentitydata.Agencieswillalsointervenein casesofidentitytheftwhentheyhavethelegalpowertoso.
Identitytheftcanseemminor,suchasborrowingsomeone’sIDtogainaccesstoservicesyoumaynotbeotherwiseentitledto(e.g.thepurchaseofalcoholatlicensedandunlicensedpremises), butitcanescalateintomoreseriouscrimes(e.g.gainingaccesstomoneyfromfinancialinstitutions).Thereareseriousconsequencesforcommittingidentitycrime.IndividualsfoundguiltyoffraudinNewZealandfacelargefines,andmayfindthemselvesbehindbars.
Agenciesareactivelyworkingtohelpyou protectyouridentity,butyouneedtodoyourpart.TheGovernment’scurrentfocusisonpreventionofidentitycrimebyraisingpeople’sawarenessoftheissueandprovidingadviceabouthowtoreducethechanceofbecomingavictim.Thisdocumentincludesinformationonwhatyoucandotoprotectyourselffromidentitytheft,andalsoinformationonwhattodoshouldithappen toyou.Therearealsosomereal-lifeexamplesofhowidentitythefthasaffectedindividuals.
IntroduCtIon1.0
IdentIty theft CheCklIst 3
Case studIes2.0
While she was awayJaneCampbell*ischanginghernametoescapeheridentitytheftproblems.Afterabriefholidayin2007,shehadnomailwaitingforheronherreturn.Thinkingtherewasaproblemwithapostofficeredirection,sheignoredit.Butfourweekslater,$31,000haddisappearedfromheraccountafterfraudstersstolehermailandcreatedfakeIDsusingherfullnameanddateofbirth.
In2009,fraudstersstruckagain.Itisunknownifitwasthesamesetoffraudsters,orifherdetailshadbeensoldon.
What could be done to stop it?Analertcanbeplacedonyourcreditfile;ifsomeonetriestotakeoutaloaninyourname,thebankwillreceivethealertwhentheydoacreditcheck.
Convicted of someone else’s crimeIn2008,18-year-oldJohnSmith*appeared intheGoreDistrictCourtandwasconvictedofdrinkdriving.However,therealJohnSmithwasactuallylivinginPapakuraatthetime, andwasnotinGorewhentheoffenceoccurred.TherealJohnSmithwaslefttodealwithPolice,getaffidavitstoprovethathewasinAucklandatthetimeoftheoffenceandcouldnothavecommittedthecrime.Astrafficoffencesdonotalwaysresultinanarrest,fingerprintingdidnottakeplace,soprovingidentitywasmoredifficult.
How did this happen?TherealJohnSmithsuspectsthathesharedhisfullnameanddateofbirthwithanindividualhehadmetonatriptoSouthland,andtheyusedhisdetails.
*Namewaschangedforprivacyreasons.
4 IdentIty assuranCe framework
methods for CommIttInG IdentIty theft
3.0
TrAdITIonAl WAys To ACCess personAl InForMATIon For IdenTITy THeFT
dumpster diving:fraudstersgothroughbinstocollect‘trash’ordiscardeditemstoobtaincopiesofindividuals’cheques,creditcardorbankstatements,orotherrecordsthatcontaintheirpersonalinformation.
pretexting: criminalscontactafinancial institutionortelephonecompany,impersonatingalegitimatecustomer,andrequestaccountinformation.Inothercases,thepretextisaccomplishedbyaninsideratthefinancialinstitution,orbyfraudulentlyopeningan onlineaccountinacustomer’sname.
shoulder surfing: lookingoversomeone’s shoulderorfromanearbylocationasthevictimentersaPINatanATMorEFTPOSmachine,orentersapasswordonline.
skimming:capturingpersonaldatafrom themagneticstripesonthebackofcreditor debitcards.Thedataistransmittedtoanotherlocationwhereitisre-encodedonto fraudulentcreditcards.
Business record theft: someonestealsdatafromabusinessorbribesinsiderstoobtaintheinformationfromthebusinessororganisation.
onlIne MeTHods For sTeAlIng personAl InForMATIon
Malware:asoftwarecodeorprogramme insertedintoaninformationsysteminorder tocauseharmtothatsystem,ortoothersystemsortosubvertthemforuseotherthanthatintendedbytheirownusers.Viruses,worms,trojanhorses,backdoors,keystrokeloggers,screenscrapers,rootkits,andspywarearealldifferentkindsofmalware.
spam:unsolicited,unwantedorharmful electronicmessagesareincreasinglybeingusedasamethodfordeliveringmalwareandcriminalphishingscams.
phishing: obtainingunsuspectingInternetusers’personalidentifyinginformationthroughemailsandmirror-websitesthatlooklikelegitimatebusinesses,suchasfinancialinstitutionsorgovernmentagencies.Typically,aphishingattackiscomposedofthefollowingsteps:
• thephishersendsitspotentialvictimanemailthatappearstobefromanexistingcompany.Theemailusesthecolours,graphics,logosandwordingofthecompany;
• thepotentialvictimreadstheemailandprovidesthephisherwithpersonalinformationbyeitherrespondingtotheemailorclickingonalinkandprovidingtheinformationviaaformonawebsitethatappearstobefromthecompany;and
• throughthis,thevictim’spersonalinformationisdirectlytransmittedtothescammer.
Hacking:exploitingvulnerabilitiesin electronicsystemsorcomputersoftware tostealpersonaldata.
IdentIty theft CheCklIst 5
HOWTOPrEVENT IdentIty theft
4.0
Identitytheftismorelikelytooccurif youmakeiteasyforsomeonetotakeanduseyouridentityinformation.Thereareanumberofthingsyoucandotoprotectyouridentityinformation:
• Becarefulwithyouridentityinformation,howmuchyougiveoutandwhoyoushareitwith.
• Ifsomeoneasksforyouridentityinformation,askwhytheorganisationorindividualneedsit,andwhattheyintendtodowithit.
• DonotwritedownPINnumbersorpasswords.Netsafe(www.netsafe.org.nz)providetipsaboutmanagingpasswords.YourbankshouldbeabletoprovidesomeinformationaboutchoosingandmanagingyourPersonalIdentificationNumbers(PIN).
• Keepkeydocumentsthatareusedtoestablishyouridentity(e.g.birthcertificateandpassport)inasafeandsecureplace.
• Makesureyouproperlydispose(shredorburn)ofbankstatements,electricitybillsandanypieceofcorrespondencewithyournameandaddressonit.Thesedocumentsshouldneverbeputinpublicorrecyclingbins.Considergettingyourstatementsprovidedonline–itisgoodforyouandtheenvironmenttoo.
• Becautious,identitycrimedoesnotalwaysresultfrominformationthatisstolen;peopleoftengiveitawaybypublishingitinpublicplaces(e.g.dateofbirthpostedonasocialnetworkingwebsite).
• IfyouuseInternetbanking,donotlogonfromasharedorpubliccomputer,suchasanInternetcafé,tomakeanysensitivetransactions.
• removeallpersonalinformationfromcomputersbeforeyoudisposeofthem.
• Besuspiciousofanyunexpectedevents(e.g.lettersfromcreditors,banktransactionsyoucannotremembermaking)thatcouldbetheresultofidentitycrime.
• Ifyoumove,ensureallyourmailforwardedtoyournewaddress.
• Ifyoubelieveyouarethevictimofanidentitycrime,contactthePolice.
• Keepaneyeoutfortheigovtlogoongovernmentwebsites.igovtisasecuregovernmentlogonservice,whichcanbeusedonmultiplewebsites.
6 IdentIty assuranCe framework
what to do If you ArEAVICTIM
5.0
losT or sTolen doCuMenTs
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
your eFTpos card, credit card or cheque book have been lost or stolen
What could happen:Athiefcouldmakefraudulenttransactionsfromyouraccounts,andyoucouldbeliableforthemoney.
Itisimportanttocontactyourbankimmediatelyifyourcardsorchequebookarelostorstolen.Ifyoufailtonotifythebankimmediately,theymaynotbeabletoreimburseyouforanylossesthatmayoccur.
Oncereportedlost,yourcardsarelikelytobecancelled,andreissuedtoyou.
Contact: Yourbank,Police
Further information: Scamwatch-BankDetails
you have lost your new Zealand passport or believe it is being misused
What could happen:Athiefcouldapplyforfalsedocumentsinyourname,travelonyourPassportorsellittoacriminalorganisation.
Gotoyournearestpolicestationandreportthepassportaslost/stolen,youshouldobtainacopyofthepolicereportforapplyingforanewpassport.YoualsoneedtoreportthistoyournearestDepartmentofInternalAffairsOfficesothatthePassportcanbecancelled(NewZealand,SydneyorLondon).
Toapplyforanewpassport:
• ObtainaPassportapplicationform(availableonline).
• Completethedeclarationorlossortheftpage.
• Postthisapplicationinwithanyrequireddocumentsand theappropriatefee.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:DepartmentofInternalAffairs,Police
Further information: SafeTravelandPassports
IdentIty theft CheCklIst 7
losT or sTolen doCuMenTs
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
you suspect someone has obtained a new Zealand passport in your name
What could happen:Athiefcouldbeusingyournametocommitothercrimes,suchastravellingillegallyorobtainingloansinyourname.
ContacttheDepartmentofInternalAffairswithyourdetails andsuspicions.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:DepartmentofInternalAffairs,Police
Further information: DepartmentofInternalAffairs-PassportContactDetails
you have lost your non-new Zealand passport or believe it is being misused
What could happen:Athiefcouldbeusingyournametocommitinternationalcrime,toobtainfalsedocumentsorworkillegally inNewZealand.
Gotoyournearestpolicestationandreportthepassport aslost/stolen.
YoushouldthenalertImmigrationNewZealandifyourpassportincludedavalidImmigrationNewZealandvisa.Youwillmostlikelyneedtoincludeacopyofthepolicereportwhenyouapplyforanewpassporteitherfromyournearestdiplomaticmissionorpassportissuancelocation.
Contact:Police,yournearestdiplomaticmissionandImmigrationNewZealand
Further information: NewZealandPoliceIdentityTheftInformation
you suspect someone has obtained a non- new Zealand passport in your name
What could happen:Athiefcouldbeusingyournametocommitothercrimessuchastravelillegallyorobtainloansinyourname.
ContactthenearestembassyorPassportofficeforthecountryconcerned.Youwillneedtoprovideyourpersonalandcontactdetailsaswellasdetailsofyoursuspicions.
Contact:Yournearestdiplomaticmission
Further information: Scamwatch-Scams,
MinistryofForeignAffairsandTrade–DiplomaticMissionsin NewZealand
8 IdentIty assuranCe framework
losT or sTolen doCuMenTs
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
your new Zealand driver licence has been lost or stolen
What could happen:Athiefcouldbeusingyourlicencetotakeoutloansinyourname,todrivewhentheyarenotentitledtoortoobtainotherfalsedocumentation.
Gotoyournearestpolicestationandreportthelicenceas lost/stolen.
Youshouldreplaceyourdriverlicenceassoonaspossible.Theissuingofareplacementlicencewillautomaticallycancelyourpreviouslicence.
Toreplaceyourlostlicence:
• VisitanyNewZealandTransportAgency(NZTA)driver licensingagent.
• Presentevidenceofyouridentityandaddress.
• Submitacompletedapplication(formDL2).
• Paythereplacementlicencefee.
Yourreplacementlicencewillhavethesameexpirydateasyourpreviouslicence.Alternatively,youcanapplytorenewyourlicenceforupto10years.
Ifyoucannotgettoadriverlicensingagenttoreplace(orrenew)yourdriverlicence,youshouldcontactNZTAtohaveyourdriverlicencecardcancelled.
ContacttheNZTA:
email:[email protected]
phone:0800822422
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:NZTA,Police
Further information: NZTAStolen/LostLicences
IdentIty theft CheCklIst 9
losT or sTolen doCuMenTs
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
you suspect someone has obtained a new Zealand driver licence in your name
What could happen:Athiefcouldbeusingyourlicencetotakeoutloansinyourname,todrivewhentheyarenotentitledtoortoobtainotherfalsedocumentation.
ContacttheNZTA:
email:[email protected]
phone:0800822422
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:NZTA,Police
Further information: NZTAContactUs
you think your new Zealand Immigration visa or permit is being misused
What could happen: Someonewhoisnot entitledtobeinNewZealandcouldbeobtainingbenefits inyourname.
ContactImmigrationNewZealandwithyourpersonalandcontactdetailsandsuspicions.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:ImmigrationNewZealand,Police
Further information: ImmigrationNewZealand
you suspect someone has used your details to commit immigration fraud
What could happen: Someonecouldbeusing yourdetailstoavoiddeportationorgainadifferenttierofresidency.ThismayimpactonyourabilitytoliveinNewZealand.
ContactImmigrationNewZealandwithyourpersonalandcontactdetailsandsuspicions.YoumaybereferredtoreportthesuspicionstothePolice.
Contact:ImmigrationNewZealand,Police
Further information: ImmigrationNewZealand-ComplaintsProcess
10 IdentIty assuranCe framework
losT or sTolen doCuMenTs
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
you have lost your Citizenship Certificate or believe it is being misused
What could happen: Athiefcouldbeusingyournametocommitinternationalcrime,toobtainfalsedocumentsorworkillegally inNewZealand.
YoushouldcontacttheNewZealandCitizenshipofficetoreportthelossandreceiveconfirmationofyourcitizenship.
Toreceiveconfirmationofyourcitizenshipyouwillneedto:
• Completetherelevantform,availableontheCitizenshipwebsite.
• Includetheappropriatefee.
• PostyourapplicationtoCitizenship.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:Police,DepartmentofInternalAffairs
Further information: DepartmentofInternalAffairs- ConfirmationofNewZealandCitizenship
you suspect someone has obtained new Zealand Citizenship in your name
What could happen: SomeonecoulduseyourdetailstogainNewZealandCitizenshipanda NewZealandpassport. Withthistheycanobtainloans,licencesetcand stealyouridentity.
ContacttheDepartmentofInternalAffairswithyourdetails andsuspicions.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyused byanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:Police,DepartmentofInternalAffairs
Further information: DepartmentofInternalAffairs- Citizenshipinformation
IdentIty theft CheCklIst 11
sTolen or MIsdIreCTed MAIl
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
you have not received mail that you expected to receive
What could happen:Someonecouldbeinterceptingyourmail toobtaincreditcardsor otherdocumentsthattheyhavefraudulentlyapplied forinyourname.They couldalsobetryingtocollatedatainordertocommitidentityfraud.
Followupwiththepersonororganisationthatshouldhavesenttheitemtoensurethatmailisstillbeingsentandtheaddressdetailsareuptodate.YoucanalsocontactNewZealandPosttoensurethatthereisnotaholdorredirectioninplaceforyourmail.
Contact:Youraccountprovider,NewZealandPost
Further information: NeighbourhoodSupportIdentity TheftInformation
An identity thief has falsified change of address forms, stolen your mail or committed another type of mail fraud to get your personal information
What could happen:Youcouldbesentfines, incurdebtsorlosemoneybecausesomeoneisimpersonatingyou.
ContactyouraccountprovidersandNewZealandPosttoupdateyourcontactdetails.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:Police,Youraccountprovider,NewZealandPost
Further information: NewZealandPoliceIdentityTheftInformation
12 IdentIty assuranCe framework
suspICIous MAIl or pHone CAlls
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
you have received mail for a bank account you did not open or credit card you did not request
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmayhaveappliedforanumberofcreditcardsinyourname.
Keepallofthemail,andcontacttheapplicablebankabouttheaccountorcreditcard.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact: Yourbank,Police
Further information: NewZealandBankers’Association
A finance company contacts you trying to collect on a loan you did not take out
What could happen:Athiefmayhaveappliedforloansinyourname,whichyoumaybeliablefor.
Contactthefinancecompanywithalloftheinformationtoputaholdontheaccount.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:Thefinancecompany
Further information: Scamwatch-BankDetails
you receive a fine in the mail or notification of court proceedings that you know nothing about
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmayhaveusedyournametoavoidprosecutionundertheir ownidentity.
Gotoyournearestcourtandreporttheissue.Takeproofofyourownidentity,andanyinformationthatyouhavetoprovethatyouwerenotinvolvedinthecrime.
Contact:MinistryofJustice
Further information: MinistryofJustice-CommonQuestions
IdentIty theft CheCklIst 13
suspICIous MAIl or pHone CAlls
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
you receive a phone call from your bank asking for your internet banking details or pIn number
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmaybetryingtostealyoursavingsandinvestments.
YourbankwillneveraskyoutodiscloseyourPINnumberorgiveoutyourinternetbankingdetailspasswordtoaperson.
Youshouldneverrespondtoanunpromptedrequestforthesedetails.Notedownasmuchasyoucanaboutthecall,withoutdisclosingyourdetailsandletyourbankknowaboutthescam.
Contact: Yourbank
Further information: Scamwatch–BankDetails
14 IdentIty assuranCe framework
sTrAnge TrAnsACTIons or oTHer ConCerns
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
you find that any of your bank accounts have been tampered with
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmay betryingtogainaccess toyourfinances.
Contactyourbankstraightawayanddiscussspecificallythetransactionsthatappeartobefraudulent.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:yourbank,Police
Further information: Scamwatch-BankDetails
you think an identity thief has interfered with your investments or brokerage account
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmay betryingtogainaccesstoyourfinances.
Contactyourinvestmentproviderstraightawayanddiscussthespecifictransactionsthatappeartobefraudulent.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:yourinvestmentprovider,Police
Further information: Scamwatch-BankDetails
you are being billed for an account you did not open
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmaybeusingyouridentitytotakeoutmoneyandloanswhichtheyintendtodefaulton.
Contactthebankorutilitycompanystraightawayanddiscussspecificallytheaccountindispute.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:bankorutilitycompany,Police
Further information: NewZealandBankers’AssociationIdentityFraudInformation
you believe someone has filed for bankruptcy in your name
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmayhavefiledforbankruptcyinyournametohidefinancialoffendingagainstyou.
YoucancontacttheInsolvencyandTrusteeServiceforassistanceonfindingoutifsomeonehasfiledinyourname.TheservicewillalsobeabletohelpyouworkwiththeMinistryofJusticetoclearthelegalproceedingsagainstyou.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:InsolvencyandTrusteeService(MinistryofEconomicDevelopment),MinistryofJustice,Police
Further information: InsolvencyandTrusteeService
IdentIty theft CheCklIst 15
sTrAnge TrAnsACTIons or oTHer ConCerns
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
you find that a utility account has been tampered with
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmaybetryingtobillyoufortheiraccount,orstealyourmailforuseasproofofidentity.
Contactyourutilitycompanywiththedetailsthathavebeenchanged,ortheaccountthathasbeenincorrectlycharged.Anyevidenceyouhavetosupportyourclaimmaybehelpful.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact: Yourutilitycompany,Police
Further information: NeighbourhoodSupportIdentityTheftInformation
you find enquiries on your credit report that you did not know about
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmayhaveappliedforloansorbankaccountsinyourname.
Discusstheenquirieswithyourbankasyouarelikelytodiscovertheenquirieswhentakingoutaloan.YoucanalsocontactNewZealand’stwocreditagencies,VedaAdvantageorDun&Bradstreet,toqueryyourcreditreportandgetmoreinformation.Youmayneedtofollowupwiththeenquirertodetermineifaloanoraccounthasbeenissuedinyourname.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact: Yourbank,VedaAdvantageorDun&Bradstreet,Police
Further information: VedaAdvantage-IdentityTheft, Dun&Bradstreet
you find inaccurate information on your credit report
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmayhaveappliedforloansorbankaccountsinyourname.
Discusstheinaccuracieswithyourbankasyouarelikelytodiscoverthesewhentakingoutaloan.YoucanalsocontactNewZealand’stwocreditagencies,VedaAdvantageorDun&Bradstreettoqueryyourcreditreportandgetmoreinformation.Youmayneedtofollowupwiththeenquirertodetermineifaloanoraccounthasbeenissuedinyourname.
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:Yourbank,VedaAdvantageorDun&Bradstreet,Police
Further information: VedaAdvantage-UpdatingYourDetails, Dun&Bradstreet
16 IdentIty assuranCe framework
sTrAnge TrAnsACTIons or oTHer ConCerns
WHAT HAs HAppened And WHAT Could HAppen:
WHAT you need To do:
you have reason to believe your Ird number has been misused
What could happen:Anidentitythiefmaybeusingyouridentityastheydonothavetherighttoworkin NewZealand,toobtainabenefitortaxcredit,toavoidpayingtaxortointeractwithanothergovernmentagency.
YoucancontactInlandrevenuetodetermineifthereistax,income,orduepaymentsagainstyournumberthatyoucannotaccountfor.Inlandrevenueshouldbeabletoassistindeterminingwherethesepaymentsarebeingmadefrom(thesourceisonyourtaxrecord).
Ifyouhaveevidenceofyouridentitybeingfraudulentlyusedbyanotherperson,youshouldreportthistothePolice.
Contact:Inlandrevenue,Police
Further information: InlandrevenueComplaintsService
you become aware that someone is wrongfully using your identity to commit a crime, what should you do?
What could happen:AthiefmaybeusingyournametothePoliceandmayincurfinesandcriminalchargesinyourname,whichmayleaveyouinbreachofthecourtifyoudonotclearyourname.
Gotoyournearestpolicestationandreporttheissue.Takeproof ofyourownidentity,andanyinformationthatyouhavetoprovethatyouarenotinvolvedinthecrime.
Contact:Police
Further information: NewZealandPoliceIdentityTheftInformation
note: PriortoaconvictionthePolicearethepointofcontact;howeverafterreceivingaconvictiontheMinistryofJusticewill bethefirstpointofcontact.
IdentIty theft CheCklIst 17
ForanyidentitytheftsituationyoumayalsowishtoreporttheincidenttothePolice,ifnotalreadycontacted,assomeonemaybeusingyouridentityinmultipleplacesthatyouareunawareof.
Ifyoufeelthatyouprivacyhasbeenbreached,contacttheagencyconcernedinthefirstinstance.IfyouarenotsatisfiedwiththeirresponseyoucancontactthePrivacyCommissioner’senquiriesline:
phone: 0800803909
email:[email protected]
For more information: www.privacy.org.nz
