140.Protecting our Data & Identity- What we can all do TODAY!

Protecting our Data & Identity- What we can all do TODAY!

By now, most of us would have heard about the Optus data breach, which compromised the sensitive information of up to 10 million customers.

The Optus data breach highlights and reminds us that we live in a world where scammers exist and where there is a real need for all of us to increase our vigilance.

On this week's Military Life Podcast Episode, Head of Fraud at Defence Bank Mike Smith and Michael O'Reilly, Chief Marketing & Product Officer talk us through;

-What happens when there is a data breach, who notifies us and which information to trust?

-Why we should all be monitoring our credit history and scores and how it can provide an early warning sign of identity theft. You can also check out Defence Banks Intel Blog 'How to use your credit score to uncover identity theft'

-How to check our credit history and scores via platforms like Equifax, RateCity, Credit Savvy or Finder and how regularly we should be doing it. You can also check out Defence Bank's Intel Blog article 'How often should I be checking my credit score?'

-Why someone would want to steal our identity and what our identity can be used for.

-Phishing scams- What are they and the popular ones circulating at the moment like the Netflix Scam, the Toll Road Scam and the Hi Mom Scam. You can also check out Defence Banks Intel Blog 'Five Major Phishing Scams you need to avoid'

-Available information and resources to help you stay ahead of scammers and protect your personal information.

-ScamWatch, the Australian Security Centre, MoneySmart and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and IDCare, a not-for-profit that provides free support to Australians who have been impacted by fraud or scams.

-How we can determine if someone is trying to scam us and the steps we can take if the unfortunate happens and we fall victim to a data breach, scam or identity theft. You can also check out Defence Banks' Intel Blog 'What can you do if you've been scammed?'

-Free and safe Government resources we can access if we have been impacted by fraud or scams and the ways we can prevent further impact through things like requesting a ban on our credit report.

-What can be learnt from the OPTUS data breach for consumers, and going forward, what should be front of mind for all of us?

Your best defence is to stay one step ahead of scammers by reading up on the latest information and scams in circulation. Defence Bank has a series of blog articles about scams, fraud and security. Read more by visiting their website here.

You can find out more information about Credit History/Score platforms Equifax here, or RateCity here, or Credit Savvy here, or Finder here.