Protect Your Financial Identity

_{28, February 2007}

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I would like to highlight a new website which provides important crime prevention information about how you can protect your financial identity.

The Protect Your Financial Identity website provides some simple security steps which consumers can take to protect their financial identities in everyday life and to minimise the damage if a problem occurs. It may also assist in providing information so that you do not fall victim to scams, especially if you use the Internet.

This website has been produced by the Australian Bankers' Association (ABA), Australian High Tech Crime Centre (AHTCC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

The new website features an interactive quiz to test your personal security, useful fact sheets such as 'Protect Yourself Online', 'What to do if your Wallet or Handbag is Stolen' and 'Protecting Your Business Checklist', information on how to report the crime and how to recover from identity theft.

There is also information on how banks protect your personal information; how the police are targeting and investigating criminals who misuse consumer's information; and how ASIC the consumer regulator protects investors, superannuants, depositors and insurance policy holders.

I would like to remind my constituents never to reveal your PIN or Internet banking logon to anyone - a bank will never ask you for this information. If you are shopping online, make sure you are buying from trusted companies with secure websites. It's important to use anti-virus and firewall software to protect your personal computer. Another simple idea is to put a lock on your letterbox so your mail can't be stolen.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of the fact sheets which are published on the web site, please free call the ABA: 1800 009 180 and they will mail the fact sheets to you.

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