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Mercedes-Benz Melbourne - Data Security Incident

What can I do in response to the incident?

IDCARE recommends that you consider taking the following steps to reduce the risk of misuse of your personal information:

  • do not open attachments or click on links in emails or social media messages from unknown senders or if you’re unsure that the sender is genuine; and,
  • be aware of email, telephone and text message based scams.

Credit Card / Bank Account Details

If you have been informed that your Credit Card and/or Bank Account details have been affected, we recommend contacting with your financial institution to obtain specific advice. As a result, your financial institution will also be on notice to detect any unusual activity related to your card and accounts.

Medicare Numbers

If you have been informed that your Medicare number has been affected, you may wish to report the incident to the Commonwealth Department of Human Services, which can add additional security measures to your Medicare records. These measures aim to detect fraudulent activity. There is nothing further you need to do, as the Department will contact you if it detects any unusual or fraudulent activity; However if you have any concerns, you may wish to contact the Department of Human Services Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 1800 941 126 (available 8 am until 5 pm AEST Mon to Fri).

Passports

If you have been informed that your Passport has been affected, this incident does not affect the validity of your passport and you are still able to travel with your passport and use it as a valid form of proof of identity. However, as a precaution, you may wish to replace your passport if you have not already renewed or replaced it since initially providing it to us during the application process. More information is available about renewing your passport on the Australian Passport Office's website here.

Drivers’ Licence

If you have been informed that your Drivers’ Licence number has been affected, as only your details have been compromised and you still have the physical document, it does not affect your ability to use this document with regards to transport matters. However, this information may be used to access products and services from other organisations, including opening new lines of credit in your name. If you were to replace your drivers’ licence it would be issued with the same drivers’ licence number. In some states/territories the card number of the document may change, however when applying for a new credit account most organisations will only ask for the drivers’ licence number (not the card number) when verifying identity. In Victoria and Queensland you may be able to request a new drivers’ licence number if you have been a victim of fraud, and you can prove that your drivers’ licence was used to commit the crime. However, other states/territories have different regulations and in most cases a new drivers’ licence number is not achievable. Please contact IDCARE if you would like to discuss this further.

Tax File Numbers

If you have been informed that your Tax File Number has been affected, you may wish to report the incident to the Australian Taxation Office, which has added additional security measures to your Tax File Number. These measures aim to detect fraudulent activity. Once reported, there is nothing further you need to do, as the Department will contact you if it detects any unusual or fraudulent activity. However if you have any concerns, you may wish to contact the Australian Taxation Office's specialist identity security team via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via telephone 1800 467 033 (available 8 am until 5 pm AEST Mon to Fri). More information is available on the ATO's website. Click here to View.

Protecting Yourself from the Risk of Credit Misuse

If the information exposed included a credential or multiple credentials, (e.g. driver licence, passport or Medicare card) these can be used to take out a line of credit, or otherwise conduct fraudulent transactions. As such you may wish to apply for a free credit ban and credit report from each of Australia’s Credit Reporting Agencies. IDCARE’s fact sheet for credit reports and bans are located at https://www.idcare.org/learning-centre/fact-sheets .

Superannuation Details

If you have been informed that your Superannuation details have been affected, we recommend contacting your Superannuation provider to advise them that your superannuation membership number may have been disclosed. Request to have tighter security on your account, such as adding a security question only you would know the answer to, or a new PIN.