Data breaches

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What are data breaches?

A data breach is when someone's private information held by an organisation gets seen, shared without permission, or goes missing. 

The organisation where the incident happened should let you know if you’re at risk from the breach. They should also do their best to make sure the breach doesn’t impact you.

Why data breaches matter?

Data breaches provide criminals with significant amounts of personal data on individuals. 

Every piece of your personal information helps build a more detailed picture of who you are. When criminals get enough information on you, it becomes very easy for them to commit fraud or scams against you. It’s important to prevent them where possible and minimise their impact when they happen.  

 

How it works 

After an organisation suffers a data breach, the private information of its users is often sold on the dark web. Once criminals have the data, they can refine it and match it with other publicly available or purchased information to build individual identities. They can use it to impersonate consumers to access accounts or take out credit in their name. They’ll also likely sell the information on to other criminals, who will start the process all over. 

The repercussions of a data breach can be severe for customers; the consequences don’t necessarily happen straight away, and the impacts can continue for years. 

Contact ID Support NSW

If you believe your personal information has been stolen, used, or accessed without your knowledge or consent, our advisors can simplify the process and guide you through protecting your identity, accounts, and devices.

Contact form

Once you send us a request, we’ll do our best to reply within one business day.

Call ID Support

Call our advisors on 1800 001 040 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (Sydney time).

Interpreter services are available on request. 
 

There are several ways to contact ID Support NSW via the National Relay Service if you have a hearing or speech impairment: 


TTY (Type and Read)

People who wish to use TTY (Type and Read) can:

  • contact us by calling 133 677, then entering 1800 001 040 after an officer answers.

 

Voice Relay

People who wish to use Voice Relay via the National Relay Service (NRS) can:

  • contact us by calling 1800 555 727, or via the NRS app, then requesting to call 1800 001 040.

 

SMS Relay

People who wish to use SMS Relay via the National Relay Service (NRS) can:

  • Send an SMS to 0423 677 767 requesting to contact 1800 001 040

 

NRS Chat, NRS Captions, Video Relay can also be used. Please visit the National Relay Service (NRS) for instructions on how to use these services.

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