Identity theft

This could include the physical theft of credentials or obtaining these details or copies through online or offline or a combination of both through data breach such as a cyberattack. Common credentials targeted includes driver licences, passports, Medicare cards and bank account details.

Where you are a victim of identity theft and your driver licence number has been compromised, the department can assist by issuing a new driver licence number.

The process to obtain a new licence number is to attend a Service Tasmania shop. The following will occur.

• You will be requested to provide Evidence of Identity
• Information on the identity theft
• Once confirmed, Service Tasmania will arrange for the issuing of a new driver licence number
• You can retain the existing card as photographic proof of identity
• You will receive a new licence in the mail
• The old licence number will no longer validate through the Document Verification Service (DVS)*

*The Department of Home Affairs manages the DVS. The DVS enables approved businesses (e.g., banks, phone companies etc) and government organisations to use certain evidence of identity documents to verify a person’s identity by checking whether certain information matches the original record. It returns either a yes or no answer, with no other details.

For your further information and support on identity theft, IDCare aids victims of fraud and identity theft. Their website contains a number of useful fact sheets and can be found at www.idcare.org alternatively their phone number is 1800 595 160.