Identity theft is one of the most pressing concerns in today's connected world. With an increasing number of personal, social, medical, and financial transactions taking place online, the risk of having sensitive information stolen is higher than ever before. There are several types of identity theft that individuals need to be aware of.
Financial identity theft involves the unauthorised use of an individual's financial information, such as credit card numbers and bank account details, to make unauthorised transactions, open accounts and apply for lending.
Individuals should regularly monitor their financial accounts for any unauthorised transactions or activity and report it immediately. Additionally, individuals should maintain strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and be cautious of sharing personal information online or over the phone to anyone including contact numbers, addresses, drivers licence details and passports.
This might sound uncommon threat though it does happen. Medical identity theft is when someone wrongfully uses another person's personal information, such as their name, national health index (NHI) number, community service card or ID documents to obtain medical services, prescriptions, fraudulent insurance claims and/or obtain complete medical records. This type of identity theft can have serious consequences for the victim, including damage to their medical records (making it harder to get healthcare in the future), and potential harm to their health if incorrect information is added to their medical history.
To mitigate the risk of medical identity theft, individuals should safeguard their medical records, review insurance statements regularly, review health records periodically and report any discrepancies to their healthcare providers immediately. It is also beneficial to be cautious when sharing personal information with healthcare providers and to inquire about their privacy and security practices.
Occurs when someone assumes another person's identity to commit crimes or evade law enforcement. Thieves uses the victim's personal information, such as their name, drivers licence number, IRD number, to engage in illegal activities. They may open fraudulent bank accounts, obtain loans, engage in tax fraud, register vehicles, or commit other offences under the victim's name, leaving the victim to deal with the legal and financial consequences. This form of identity theft can not only harm the victim's reputation and creditworthiness but also subject them to potential criminal investigations and legal issues. Resolving criminal identity theft can be complex, time-consuming, stressful, and costly.
Simple practices such as keeping important documents secure and being mindful and limits who see, receives a copy of and uses details on these documents goes a long way to protecting who you are.
This refers to the unauthorised use of someone's social media accounts or the creation of fake profiles using their personal information. It involves impersonating the victim and gaining access to their online presence for various malicious purposes.
Consequences of social media identity theft can be severe, including reputational damage, financial loss, harassment, or even the spread of malicious content in the victim's name. It is essential to take precautions to protect your social media accounts, such as using strong and unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, being caution about what you share, wary of suspicious messages or requests, and regularly monitoring for any signs of unauthorised logins and activities.
Overall, it’s important to be aware of these types of identity theft and how they happen so that individuals can take steps to protect themselves and their personal information. Whether it's through phishing scams, data breaches, or physical theft of post, identity thieves are constantly looking for new ways to access sensitive information. By being informed and taking proactive steps to secure personal information, individuals can reduce their risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.
We suggest regularly monitor your health records, social media activities credit report and financial statements to ensure that no unauthorised activities have occurred.
By staying vigilant and taking steps to protect your personal information, you can reduce your risk of identity theft.
Casey is a Cyber Security Analyst with Diligence. He combines years of experience in IT System Administration roles with working in secure environments like New Zealand Police. Casey is passionate about working in the cyber security industry and is continually growing his skills and experience.
