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 documentation 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.

Report the crime to the police

If your identity document has been stolen, report the theft to:

• The Police Assistance Line website (External link) or phone 131 444
• Phone or visit your local police station (External link).

Contact the document issuer

If a document containing personal information is lost or stolen, contact the issuer immediately. For example, this might include:

• VicRoads (External link)
• The Australian Passport Office (External link), or
• Other service provider.

My birth 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@justice.vic.gov.au (External link).

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

• The Australian Cyber Security Centre has information on how to avoid cyber-crime (External link). It also has advice on how to report and recover.
• The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has advice on how to respond to a data breach notification (External link).
• IDCARE (External link)’s case managers can advise on how to respond to data breaches and identity theft.
• If you’re aged under 25, Kids Helpline (External link) may be able to help. You can also phone them on 1800 55 1800.
• The eSafety Commissioner has a list of counselling and support services (External link). 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 (External link).

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@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)

Access our Aboriginal services