First things first - act quickly
You should report any cases of identity theft to your local police straight away. Make sure you ask for a copy of the police report they create or a reference number. You’ll need to give it to your bank, government agencies, and any other company you need to contact.
Contact IDCARE
IDCARE is a company that helps people who have had their identity stolen in New Zealand. You’ll need to contact them if you think your identity has been stolen. Their team can help you with the relevant information for your situation and help you limit the damage caused. IDCARE’s services are free and useful if you’re unsure of what to do about identity theft.
Contact your bank and lenders
You’ll need to tell your banks, lenders, or credit card providers to cancel any cards. You should also get your accounts secured or blocked, if this is needed.
Contact any other relevant organisations
If you’ve lost any identity documents (drivers licence, birth certificate, passport, immigration documentation, etc.) or had them stolen, it’s a good idea to contact the organisations who originally issued them to you. They can help you get new documents and show you how to cancel your previous ones.
Change the passwords to your online accounts
Change passwords to your online accounts (such as your internet banking, email addresses, etc.) straight away to keep your private information safe.
Keep an eye on your ClearScore report
We give you your credit report once a month with us. Check this regularly so you can spot any suspicious activity early and take action quickly. If you don’t recognise information on your report, you can dispute it with illion, our data providers.
Check out our article for more tips on what to do if you think your identity has been stolen.