National Identity Fraud Awareness Week – 5th October – 11th October 2009
Posted October 8th, 2009
To raise awareness about identity fraud we are once again experiencing National Identity Fraud Awareness Week lasting until October 11, 2009. The week runs as a collaboration between Fellowes, Australia Post Post Office Boxes, Veda Advantage, Crime Stoppers and partners, Symantec (Norton Internet Security Suite).
What exactly is identity fraud?
Identity fraud happens when unsavoury thieves steal your private details. They can do this by employing various methods such as:
- Raiding your garbage bins to search for private data such as name, address, date of birth, banking information, old credit cards and more.
- Stealing your mail. Junk mail is a huge culprit for this because thieves only need five points of identification to fake someones identity.
- Internet phishing: These fraudulent emails look just like the real deal but when you click on the link within the message your private details are phished (stolen) from you. Therefore never click on any links in any email, especially not from a bank or other source to do with your sensitive information.
- Over the phone: Be careful what details you hand out over the phone. Many thieves call you under the pretence to be from an official company but they are not.
The reasons behind identity fraud awareness week:
With rising crime rates in Australia and worldwide we need to do everything we can to protect ourselves against an attack. Every two in three Australians are falling prey to identity fraud and it seems that far too many people and companies are too careless about their private data.
NIFAW runs once a year all around the world in Asia, the United States, Europe, New Zealand and of course Australia.
It’s to help you become more aware of the potential risks for identity theft and allow you to take preventative measures.
National identity fraud partners:
Fellowes: Fellowes is a global manufacturer and marketer of records, business machines, storage solutions and technology accessories. With the help of Fellowes’ tool people can work with greater organisation, security and productivity.
Crime Stoppers: Crime Stoppers is actively fighting against crime. Globally Crime Stoppers helps to solve a crime every 14 minutes.
Symantec: Symantec is a global leader for storage and systems management solutions as well as security tools to help consumers secure and manage their information-driven world. Their online security suite helps to protect against phishing, viruses and more.
Veda Advantage: Veda Advantage is the largest custodian of credit related information in Australia and New Zealand. The company holds more than 16.5 million files from credit-active individuals and some 4.4 million files from companies and businesses throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Security specialist Secure Sentinel was recently acquired by Veda Advantage. To protect yourself against identity fraud you should:
- Order a copy of your credit file from Veda to help you manage your credit history.
- Order an alert system on your credit file. This will notify you electronically whenever a credit provider accesses your credit file.
- Call Secure Sentinel as soon as your card (any card with financial data) is lost or stolen, 24hrs/7days. The company will then cancel the card right away. Call 1800 022 043.
Australia Post – Post Office Boxes: Some 1.7 million post office boxes are installed in over 3,500 outlets across the country. Australia Post has the largest network of post office boxes in Australia. You get more privacy, more security, convenience and protection against identity fraud by keeping your mail stored and locked away from prying eyes.
What exactly is identity fraud?
Identity fraud happens when unsavoury thieves steal your private details. They can do this by employing various methods such as:
- Raiding your garbage bins to search for private data such as name, address, date of birth, banking information, old credit cards and more.
- Stealing your mail. Junk mail is a huge culprit for this because thieves only need five points of identification to fake someones identity.
- Internet phishing: These fraudulent emails look just like the real deal but when you click on the link within the message your private details are phished (stolen) from you. Therefore never click on any links in any email, especially not from a bank or other source to do with your sensitive information.
- Over the phone: Be careful what details you hand out over the phone. Many thieves call you under the pretence to be from an official company but they are not.
The reasons behind identity fraud awareness week:
With rising crime rates in Australia and worldwide we need to do everything we can to protect ourselves against an attack. Every two in three Australians are falling prey to identity fraud and it seems that far too many people and companies are too careless about their private data.
NIFAW runs once a year all around the world in Asia, the United States, Europe, New Zealand and of course Australia.
It’s to help you become more aware of the potential risks for identity theft and allow you to take preventative measures.
National identity fraud partners:
Fellowes: Fellowes is a global manufacturer and marketer of records, business machines, storage solutions and technology accessories. With the help of Fellowes’ tool people can work with greater organisation, security and productivity.
Crime Stoppers: Crime Stoppers is actively fighting against crime. Globally Crime Stoppers helps to solve a crime every 14 minutes.
Symantec: Symantec is a global leader for storage and systems management solutions as well as security tools to help consumers secure and manage their information-driven world. Their online security suite helps to protect against phishing, viruses and more.
Veda Advantage: Veda Advantage is the largest custodian of credit related information in Australia and New Zealand. The company holds more than 16.5 million files from credit-active individuals and some 4.4 million files from companies and businesses throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Security specialist Secure Sentinel was recently acquired by Veda Advantage. To protect yourself against identity fraud you should:
- Order a copy of your credit file from Veda to help you manage your credit history.
- Order an alert system on your credit file. This will notify you electronically whenever a credit provider accesses your credit file.
- Call Secure Sentinel as soon as your card (any card with financial data) is lost or stolen, 24hrs/7days. The company will then cancel the card right away. Call 1800 022 043.
Australia Post – Post Office Boxes: Some 1.7 million post office boxes are installed in over 3,500 outlets across the country. Australia Post has the largest network of post office boxes in Australia. You get more privacy, more security, convenience and protection against identity fraud by keeping your mail stored and locked away from prying eyes.
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Comparison of our Top Credit Card Offers
| Interest Rate (p.a.) | Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.) | Annual Fee | Cash Advance Rate (p.a.) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bankwest Breeze MasterCard | A low interest rate on everyday purchases with a low balance transfer offer | 0% for 6 months (reverts to 10.99% ) | 4.99% for 9 months | $49 | 21.99% |   |
Citibank Clear Platinum Card | A low interest rate offer on balance transfers and purchases | 11.99% | 0% for 12 months with 3% handling fee | $99 | 21.74% | |
St.George Vertigo | An introductory offer on balance transfer and a low annual fee | 13.24% | 0.99% for 6 months | $55 | 21.49% | |
Virgin Flyer Credit Card | Earn 1 velocity point per $1 spent, plus an introductory offer on balance transfers | 20.99% | 1.9% for 12 months | $50 (for first year thereafter $99) | 20.99% | |
Westpac 55 Day Credit Card | No annul fee for the first year with a low rate on balance transfers and purchases | 0% for 5 months (reverts to 19.59% ) | 3.99% for 6 months | $0 annual fee for the first year ($30 thereafter) | 21.49% | |
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