The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) has released results of a national online survey exploring the nature and scope of identity crime in Australia. The report commissioned by the Australian Government noted the misuse of personal information has been recognised in income tax evasion, customs duty and GST fraud, superannuation fraud, and welfare fraud.
The survey found that almost 1 in 10 people experienced misuse of their personal information in the previous 12 months, and 1 in 5 people experienced misuse of their personal information at some point in their lives. The survey also found that 5% of people experienced identity crime or misuse resulting in a financial loss in the previous 12 months. In announcing the results of the survey, Attorney-General George Brandis said the results “suggest identity crime directly affects around 1m Australians each year and is one of the most common types of crime in Australia”.
Participants were asked how they believed their personal information had been misused on the most serious occasion in the previous 12 months. Most participants believed their personal information was misused to obtain money from a bank account (35.4%). Some participants believed their information was misused to file a fraudulent tax return (7.2%), to obtain superannuation monies (5.1%), or to apply for government benefits (4.1%).
Source: Attorney-General’s media release, 5 May 2014
[LTN 83, 5/5/14]