MyCRA Specialist Credit Repair Lawyers

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Cyber security – it concerns our credit file

It’s National Cyber Security Awareness Week this week, from 30 May to 3 June.

The Government holds this week to endeavour to help Australians understand cyber security risks as well as educate home and small business users on the simple steps we can take to protect our personal and financial information online and reduce the risk of identity theft.

Visit the website www.staysmartonline.gov.au for information on events during the week.

These are the Government’s 8 top tips for cyber security :

1. Install and renew your security software and set it to scan regularly.

2. Turn on automatic updates on all your software, including your operating system and other applications.

3. Think carefully before you click on links and attachments, particularly in emails and on social networking sites.

4. Regularly adjust your privacy settings on social networking sites.

5. Report or talk to someone about anything online that makes you uncomfortable or threatened – download the Government’s Cybersafety Help Button.

6. Stop and think before you post any photos or financial or personal information about yourself, your friends or family.

7. Use strong passwords and change them at least twice a year.

8. Talk within your family about good online safety.

As identity theft is the fastest growing crime in Australia, these adjustments to our online life should be made as soon as possible to ensure we don’t end up becoming victims of fraud.

Becoming a fraud victim has serious ramifications for our hip pocket. We can be ripped off thousands of dollars if someone gets hold of our credit card details, or if they have a chance to use our personal details for fraud purposes, they can even take out personal loans and mortgages in our name.

When the identity theft goes so far as to affect our credit file, the issues can be huge. We are robbed of the ability to obtain credit.

So, think of the hundreds of thousands of dollars we would lose in a home loan we are unable to secure, for up to 5 years. Or the effect being black listed from being able to obtain credit for 5 years would have on our business. In many cases it would be financially crippling. We may even have to declare bankruptcy.

Not to mention the little ways we would be affected – no mobile phone plans, no internet plans and no car loans.

So the best thing we can do for ourselves is to prevent that crime from happening in the first place. We can follow the tips above and we can also raise awareness of the issue amongst our own group of family and friends and insist that anyone who has our personal information has a responsibility to keep it safe.

We can also check our credit file regularly, and act quickly on any discrepancies there. It may not seem like much to have an overdue payment on our credit file, but generally that is enough for a decline on a home loan. So if we consider a listing shouldn’t be there – we should look into having it removed from our file.

Credit file repair can be difficult, but if there is an error on our file it is worth pursuing. It can be made easier with the help of a credit repairer. A credit repairer will completely remove a default or series of defaults from our file if it contains an error, it is unjust or just shouldn’t be there.

If we have a default on our credit file that fits the above description, and especially if we suspect we have been the victim of identity theft we can contact MyCRA Credit Repairs www.mycra.com.au to get our credit file checked and to have our file repaired back to the way it should be.

01/06/2011
What thieves can do with your mail

Media Release: Australians are warned to keep their letterbox locked and all personal information at home secure if they want to reduce their risk of identity fraud.

A national credit repairer says mail is a prime target for fraudsters, who can gather enough personal information from it to steal someone’s identity and ruin them financially for up to seven years.

“Crooks are working in gangs, grabbing mail from letterboxes and even rifling through rubbish bins to find our personal details. The information there can often be enough to request ‘replacement’ copies of identification. Once this is accomplished, they can open bank accounts, obtain credit and even mortgage properties in our name” says Graham Doessel, Director of MyCRA Credit Repairs.

Mr Doessel says identity theft can often hit twice, because if the fraud is not detected early, it can amount to defaults on people’s credit files which are difficult to just wipe away.

“First we have to prove we didn’t create the defaults – and that can sometimes be really tricky. But until the matter is resolved, we can be black listed from even simple things like getting an internet connection or mobile phone plan in our name,” he says.

This comes as NSW Police warn residents of inner-Sydney suburbs to lock their letterboxes after up to 1000 mail items were stolen from letterboxes in the area yesterday.

Detective Inspector Leanne McCusker says residents need to secure their letterbox the way they would a house.

“You need to be securing your house,” she said yesterday. “Your letterbox contains a lot of valuable property and your identification.” She also advises residents to know their neighbours and call police if they see someone not from the area acting suspiciously.

The Australian Crime Commission now sites identity theft as the fastest growing crime in the country, costing upwards of $1 billion to the Australian economy, and possibly affecting at least 500,000 Australians per year.

Mr Doessel recommends people put a few simple preventative measures in place to reduce their risk of identity fraud at home. “We should install a lock on our mailbox. We should buy a shredder and cross-shred every piece of personally identifiable information we no longer require before throwing it in the bin. We should also keep our personal documents locked away at home,” he says.

“As far as online security goes, we should keep our virus protection up to date on our computers; change passwords frequently; only use secure sites for credit card transactions and be extremely conservative with our social-networking settings,” he says. He also recommends people obtain a report on their credit file regularly.

“Often credit file discrepancies can be the first sign we have been victims of identity theft. We should obtain a free credit report to ensure that everything on our file is as it should be. That way if there are any problems, they can be rectified while there is no urgency” he says.

Under current legislation, Australians can check their credit file for free every 12 months from the major credit reporting agencies Veda Advantage, Dun and Bradstreet and Tasmanian Collection Service. A report is sent to the owner of the credit file within 10 working days. For those who are vulnerable to identity theft, they can pay extra with Veda Advantage to have their file on an ‘alert’ system, which tracks any changes to their credit file that may occur within a 12 month period.

He says identity theft victims should contact the Police immediately, although he says many of his clients don’t, due to embarrassment or because the fraud may not be a significant amount. “Our government may not have accurate statistics on identity theft numbers, just purely because we don’t report it often enough. But reporting to Police may be an essential step when trying to clear defaults if our credit file has been affected,” he says. He says if people find their credit file has been tarnished, a credit repairer can usually give people the best chance of complete default removal following identity theft.

“Unfortunately in most cases, attempting to remove the default ourselves can do more damage than good by not understanding the process fully, almost like trying to defend ourselves in court. We might do OK, but we only get one shot at it and if we don’t get it 100% right, we will be unsuccessful. There is no appeal in most cases” he says. “Using a credit repairer usually gives people the best chance of getting defaults, writs and Judgments completely removed from their file if they contain errors, are unjust or just shouldn’t be there. Complete removal gives people back their right to obtain credit in the future,” he says. /ENDS

Read more

ACCC IDENTITY THEFT REPORT: Click Here

Image: Felixco, Inc. / FreeDigitalPhotos.net[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

27/05/2011
Identity theft is losing your good name

Media Release:

A prominent Welsh comedian has called for governments to insist on stricter checks by creditors to help combat the growing issue of identity theft.

Bennett Arron, who was a keynote speaker at the AusCert 2011 Information Security Conference Overexposed, says creditors merely reimbursing identity theft victims in lost monies is not an adequate solution to identity fraud, and can still leave victims financially crippled if their credit file has been tarnished.

“Many companies and banks are too quick to take on clients and say that they will take any consequences themselves. What they don’t understand is that it’s not the money aspect which is the problem it’s the affect it has on [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][the victim’s] credit rating”, Mr Arron says.

Arron was a victim of identity theft in the 1990’s in the UK, which left himself and his pregnant wife homeless and penniless.

“There were thousands of pounds of debts – in my name. So as far as the Credit Companies were concerned, the debts were mine. It took me almost two years to clear my name and regain a good credit rating” he says.

The fraudster, who had moved into Arron’s old address, received a pre-printed shopping card with Arron’s personal details on it, which he then used to purchase credit in several places. Arron says at the time, if more checks had been carried out the fraudsters may not have gotten away with it.

“The perpetrator had even used a false date of birth – but no one verified it” he says.

Arron went on to make a TV documentary, called How to steal an Identity, in which he demonstrated how easy it was to steal an identity in the U.K. He obtained a driver’s licence in the name of the then home secretary, Charles Clark.

Arron has since been speaking out about his experience with identity theft, in an attempt to raise awareness of the issue globally.

A national credit repairer says Arron’s case is a pertinent example of how many people can be caught out with identity theft. He says mail getting into the hands of a fraudster is a common way people can become victims of fraud. The effects can be felt for up to 5 years in Australia if someone’s credit file is affected.

“Unfortunately more and more of our clients are faced with the issue of identity theft. Once the fraud impacts someone’s credit rating, they are often unable to obtain even a mobile phone in their name. It need not be large-scale fraud to be a massive blow to the victim’s financial future” Graham Doessel, Director of MyCRA says.

Once an unpaid account goes to default stage, the account may be listed by the creditor as a default on a person’s credit file. Under current legislation, defaults remain on the credit file for a 5 year period.

“What is not widely known is how difficult credit repair can be – even if the individual has been the victim of identity theft, there is no guarantee the defaults can be removed from their credit file. The onus is on them to prove their case and provide copious amounts of documentary evidence” he says.

The Australian Crime Commission now sites identity theft as the fastest growing crime in the country, costing upwards of $1billion to the Australian economy, and possibly affecting at least 500,000 Australians per year.

“Identity theft and its consequences is a red-hot issue right now because we are all feeling vulnerable to it. Recent worldwide data breaches such as from Sony PlayStation have left many of us feeling insecure about who to trust with our personal information, and what power our governments have to protect us should it occur” Mr Doessel says.

Mr Doessel says the best defence an individual can take against identity theft is to get educated on how their personal information can be put at risk.

“Register for the government’s Scamwatch alert system, which keeps you updated on the latest scams to be wary of. Also check out the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s website (formerly Privacy Commissioner’s website) which has a host of information on how to maintain the privacy of your personal information when using the internet and mobile phones.”

“You also have to think like a criminal – ask yourself – what kind of information am I leaving open out there for fraudsters to use? Buy a shredder and cross-shred any personal information at home that you don’t need to keep on file; keep your details secure on social networking sites; and ensure your credit card transactions online are from a secure site and you know who you are transferring money to” he says.

Education also extends to knowing what is on your credit file.

“Often credit file discrepancies can be the first sign we have been victims of identity theft. We recommend every person who is credit active obtain a free credit report to ensure that everything on their file is as it should be. That way if there are any problems, they can be rectified while there is no urgency” he says.

Under current legislation a credit file report can be obtained for free every 12 months from the major credit reporting agencies Veda Advantage, Dun and Bradstreet and Tasmanian Collection Service and is sent to the owner of the credit file within 10 working days.

For those who are vulnerable to identity theft, they can pay extra with Veda Advantage to have their file on an ‘alert’ system, which tracks any changes to their credit file that may occur within a 12 month period.

If people find defaults on their credit file after the credit check, they can contact a credit repairer to have them removed.

“Unfortunately in most cases, attempting to remove the default themselves can do more damage than good by not understanding the process fully, almost like trying to defend themselves in court. They might do OK, but they only get one shot at it and if they don’t get it 100% right, they will be unsuccessful. There is no appeal in most cases” he says.

“Using a credit repairer usually gives people the best chance of getting defaults, writs and Judgments completely removed from their file if they contain errors, are unjust or just shouldn’t be there. Complete removal gives people back their right to obtain credit in the future,” he says.

/ENDS

Quotes:

FROM EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BENNETT ARRON & MY CRA CONDUCTED 20/5/2011

Links:

ACCC IDENTITY THEFT REPORT:

Link1

Link2[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

27/05/2011
Identity theft danger – PlayStation account information hacked worldwide

PlayStation users should contact their banks immediately.

Sony Australia has confirmed today that the personal information of all PlayStation Network account holders worldwide has fallen into the wrong hands.

All users are now at grave risk of identity theft with the hackers having access to all names, addresses, email addresses, birthdates, usernames, passwords, logins, security questions and more. The NSW Police fraud squad says this is enough information for the hackers to even take out loans on the vicitms’ behalf.

Detective Superintendant Col Dyson from the NSW Police fraud squad spoke with Brisbane Times reporter Asher Moses about the scandal. See the full story http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/digital-life/games/playstation-hacking-scandal-police-chief-says-contact-your-bank-now-20110427-1dvts.html.

Det. Sup. Dyson says those who obtained the personal information could use it to commit identity crimes.

“Personal or financial information is a valuable commodity and generally these days we find organised groups harvesting information and then selling it to other groups to use” he says.

Affected Australians are advised to consider cancelling their credit cards or at the very least call their banks to inform them that their cards may have been compromised. People should also change their passwords if they use their same PlayStation Network password for other services.

This scandal personally affects me and my family as we are one of those 77 million global users who are potentially at risk.

What worries me as much as this breach having occurred, is the length of time it has taken Sony to inform its customers. The breach occurred as early as possibly April 17. This means the hackers have had a whole week to use our information or on-sell it to professional fraudsters before we (the public) could do anything about it.

In Australia, we do not have mandatory notification laws for when data breaches occur. We are not ‘covered’ for when these instances happen and there is no obligation for companies to inform us when our personal information has been compromised.

The Federal Government must realise that Australians cannot escape being part of a global marketplace, and as such our government has an obligation to protect us from possible identity theft in that marketplace.

The Australian Crime Commission points to identity theft as being the ‘fastest growing crime in Australia’. http://www.crimecommission.gov.au/media/faq/financial_crime.htm.

It certainly feels that way on days like this.

There is more our government can do and there’s more we as a nation can do to ensure we don’t fall behind when it comes to personal information security. This includes everyone getting educated on how identity crime can potentially affect us.

Identity theft can hit twice – once when we are first scammed, then secondly when our credit files are damaged. When someone steals our identity it can often mean a series of defaults on our credit files. Defaults can ruin a credit rating for up to 5 years – so essentially we pay for 5 years for being victims of identity theft unless we go about having our credit files repaired after the damage has occurred.

Recently we worked with the Federal Police to help repair the credit file of an identity theft victim. Basically the victim was unable to obtain credit at all with those defaults on her file – even though she was not the cause of them. We eventually got the defaults removed for her, but it was a difficult process and one she said she would have found almost impossible to do on her own.

So as a PlayStation user, and realising how deep this could go, be on the lookout for scams. Be wary of any strange calls, any emails asking for confirmation of personal details and credit card details and do contact your bank immediately.

Visit www.mycra.com.au for more information on identity theft and credit files and how we can protect ourselves.

http://mycra.com.au/blog/2011/03/identity-theft-the-ticking-time-bomb-in-australia/

Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

27/04/2011
Vanuatu – What can we learn to help our businesses in Australia..

VANUATU… It is a beautiful place and the people are some of the warmest, most friendly people I have ever encountered..

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]
This is the view we had eating lunch on Pele` Island at Vanuatu

Yesterday we did a tour of Pele Island. Prior to leaving the main Island (Efate), we stopped at a local supermarket and were asked that, if we could afford it, to buy a few books and pencils etc. for the school kids as they don’t have much… We bought a few items and were on our way.

The island was beautiful and the snorkeling was breathtaking… (pardon the pun..)

Then we walked 600m through a jungle track to the local primary school that services the 4 vilages on the island.. There were 72 children at the school and they were amazing..

They sang 4 songs for us with the power of professionally trained performers.. absolutely amazing…

Our tour guide, Morris (from Evergreen Tours) is a local from the island and was a support teacher at the school for a number of years.. He showed us the facilities at the school which included the 1 (one) text book that the teachers work out of for the grades 5 and 6 kids.. it was many years old and pages 1 – 14 were missing…

We finished our look around the school grounds and handed our megre offerings of the few books and pencils to the head teacher.. and left..

Today we went shopping and have been trying to find a few extra things (more exercise books, pencils, dictionaries etc) for the kids and have the realisation that we may make a small difference but how much we take for granted in good old Australia…

Most locals make approx $1.50 – $3.00 per hour and yet the prices are higher than in AU.. they do everything with the biggest, warmest genuine smiles I have ever seen..

Most of the clients that you (Our brokers and referrers) refer to MyCRA either didn’t know they had defaults or didn’t realise the implications of having the defaults before you explained it to them. In some cases, this new knowledge has cut them deep and it takes a little while for them to come to terms that they don’t have the same options as someone with clean credit.. A few kind words and a friendly smile can make a huge difference..

Just a quick reminder that I am making myself available to groups to do presentations on credit rating repairs and how a broker / referrer can make more money and settle more loans.. If you have a group of 50 or more that you think would benefit from a quick 20 – 30 minute presentation followed by question time, please email me in info@mycra.com.au and we will try to slot you in..

I have learnt a lot from these wonderful people and it will stay with me for a lifetime..[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

24/03/2011
Home buyers warned dreams could be shattered by missing bill payments

AUSTRALIANS applying for home loans are finding simple overdue accounts are coming back to haunt them, with some even being refused finance, according to a national credit rating repairer.

My CRA’s Director, GRAHAM DOESSEL says a credit rating check can reveal defaults many are not aware of such as small overdue phone bills, electricity bills and rates which may or may not have been settled.

“It would surprise you how many people there are out there with needless defaults on their credit rating due to unpaid accounts of more than 60 days. It may also surprise you to know these ‘defaults’ can be enough for an automatic decline with some lenders. At the moment, some lenders are even rejecting loans for excess credit enquiries such as two enquiries in 30 days or six within the year” Mr DOESSEL says.

Research from September 2010 conducted by DUN & BRADSTREET revealed one third of debt referred for collection in the June quarter was amounts under $200.

“These findings demonstrate that significant portions of Australians are either unaware of the consequences of not paying their bills on time or they are facing quite significant stress and cannot afford to pay these accounts” Dun & Bradstreet’s CEO, CHRISTINE CHRISTIAN says.

The report also states that the average value of referred debts stands at the highest level in four and a half years.

Mr DOESSEL says it is extremely important for potential buyers to know there is more to preparing for a mortgage than simply saving the deposit.

“Your credit rating is as important as your savings record in calculating loan eligibility and borrowing capacity. Having a clear credit record allows you to shop for the best interest rate because you have the financial freedom to choose any bank.

“At the moment, blemishes on your credit record are viewed unfavourably by most lenders – and defaults remain on your file for 5 years. Never has there been a more important time to understand your credit rating and to keep it looking as healthy as possible” he says.

MY CRA outlines how home buyers can establish a good track record of credit:

MAKE REPAYMENTS ON TIME: Repay any bills received by the due date. Bills that are not paid within 60 days may be referred for collection and noted as a default. If people are having trouble paying on time, they should contact the creditor as they may be able to work out a payment plan rather than the creditor listing the non payment as a default.

USE CREDIT: Having no credit history means there is nothing to calculate and the risk appears high to lenders. Start by borrowing something small. Repaying mobile phone plans, internet accounts, or store credit on time will appeal to anyone checking people’s credit rating.

HAVE A STABLE ADDRESS: Lenders like to see stability. Furthermore, defaults are easy to come by when bills are sent to the wrong address. If you do travel frequently, consider a trusted family member’s address for all bills.

APPLY FOR CREDIT WITH CARE: People should only apply for credit if they feel they have a very good chance of being approved. Declined credit applications on a person’s file can hinder their chances of obtaining a home loan. Likewise, people should only apply for credit they have full intention of pursuing. Every application is noted on file, not whether it is approved or not. If a person goes shopping for the right credit and applies everywhere – the lender may consider this person to have been refused credit and therefore a bad risk.

CHECK CREDIT FILE REGULARLY: People should check their file well before they need to apply for a home loan. That way if there are any problems they can sort it out while there is no urgency, and save themselves embarrassment and disappointment from having their finance declined. The major credit reporting agencies are bound by law to send people a copy of their credit report for free within 10 working days of application. Or for a fee, Veda Advantage has a service called ‘Veda Alert’ which provides a copy of the credit file, and the person goes on alert to receive notification of any changes to the credit file within 12 months.

CLEAR YOUR DEFAULTS: If there are defaults, don’t put up with them for 5 years. People can check with a credit file repairer if they can be removed.

“If people do check their credit file and find defaults, writs or judgements which have been added without a person’s knowledge, have been added incorrectly, unjustly or unfairly there is a good possibility they can be removed by a credit repairer” he says.

Demand for third party ‘credit repairers’ has grown due to what Mr DOESSEL says is a system fraught with difficulties.

“Many of our clients have attempted to deal with creditors themselves and have come up against problems and defaults have not been cleared. Most times the creditor says defaults are never removed and remain on file for 5 years. The best they can do is mark the listing as paid if the account has been settled. This may not be sufficient to ensure credit is obtained with some lenders.”

“Most clients don’t have the time or patience for negotiation with creditors. On cases we take on, MY CRA has had a 91.7% success rate of actually removing the default” he says.

MY CRA has information for consumers on their website from how to go about obtaining a copy of their credit file, to tips on spotting identity fraud. For more information go to www.mycra.com.au.

###

Links:

Link to Dun & Bradstreet article:

http://dnb.com.au/Header/News/Consumer_debt_referrals_rise_to_record_levels/indexdl_6681.aspx

Please contact:

Graham Doessel http://www.mycra.com.au/

Ph: 07 3124 7133

246 Stafford Road, STAFFORD QLD.

About MyCRA Pty Ltd

MyCRA Pty Ltd is 100% Australian owned and operated and we are based in Stafford, a northern suburb of Brisbane in Qld.

My CRA was developed for the sole purpose of giving clients access and ability to work with their Credit File. This is in order to give them the best chance of getting approval, getting a lower interest rate or just to reduce the upfront fees that can be associated with obtaining credit. My CRA are able to help you get a copy of your credit file and from that determine how we can help repair a credit file.

We have more than 15 years combined experience in working with and helping clients with their credit files. We are the fastest known credit rating repair agency in Australia. We can often remove judgements in as little as 3 days.

As Director I [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][GRAHAM DOESSEL] previously owned a very successful mortgage brokerage company “Mortgage Now” before establishing My CRA because I saw a great need in the industry for credit repair.

Please Note: Our previous results of up to 91.7% have applied only to consumer applications and past results are no indication of future performance

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12/03/2011
Crime storm blows in after Cyclone Yasi

VICTIMS of CYCLONE YASI are urged to take real and important measures to protect their identities from thieves in the aftermath of the cyclone’s devastation to homes and businesses.

With homes in absolute ruin and thousands of people still displaced, there is a danger of victims being hit again by identity thieves.

These fraudsters could pose as insurance people or attempt to remove personal information from homes and businesses while they are vacant and in disarray, according to credit rating repair company MY CRA’s Director GRAHAM DOESSEL.

“Victims should not be preyed upon again by criminals, but the fact is they are prime targets for identity thieves” Mr DOESSEL says.

This warning follows the deployment of 35 extra police to NORTH QUEENSLAND following the arrest of six looters in TOWNSVILLE.

The state’s disaster co-ordinator, IAN STEWART, says there had been 11 reports of looting since CYCLONE YASI hit north and far north QUEENSLAND, including an “opportunistic” break and enter at a pharmacy in CAIRNS during the height of the storm.

“It really is a disgrace that people would even consider doing this sort of thing at a time when the trauma being suffered by our community is so great,” he said.

The SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND floods produced scammers who tricked victims in to giving their bank details to people claiming they would help them obtain emergency funds. Scammers also claimed to be tradesmen offering to repair flood damage – they requested payment in advance before disappearing.

MR DOESSEL says cyclone victims may not only be targets for this type of crime, but particularly for other types of looting where thieves obtain personal information from vacant homes and use that information to steal someone’s identity or to claim compensation in their name.

“People could be at great risk of identity theft, due to their homes being vacant and possibly unsecured for significant parts of the day and night” he says.

He suggests if displaced victims are unable to secure important documents in their homes at present and are able to retrieve them and store them in a safe and secure place they should do so.

“Documents like marriage, birth and death certificates, past tax returns and even utility bills could all be stolen and used to appropriate someone’s identity” Mr DOESSEL says.

The AUSTRALIAN CRIME COMMISSION now sites identity theft as the “fastest growing crime in AUSTRALIA.”

Compromised financial information can be used directly to attempt to access the victim’s accounts, or be used to obtain credit cards/ loans in the victims’ name.

Fraudsters have even been known to send SMS and emails from a compromised identity to victims’ friends and associates, asking for money on the victims’ behalf. This often involves a story in regards to the victim being stranded somewhere and requiring the funds urgently.

Mr DOESSEL says his office has experienced an increase in credit rating repair due to identity theft – from card skimming through to professional gangs who ferret for personal information at a person’s home or in their rubbish bin.

“Identity crime hits twice. People are not only ripped off at the time, but their credit rating is destroyed generally for 5 years once defaults are listed on the victim’s credit file. This is regardless of how the defaults got there. A default on a person’s credit file is usually enough for an automatic decline on a home loan” he says.

The nature of credit ratings in AUSTRALIA, is once a default has been listed on a person’s file – it is very difficult to have it removed. Creditors will generally only mark the listing as paid.

“Effectively people are robbed of their financial future. The best course of action for most people fighting a default that is unjust, incorrect or just simply shouldn’t be there is to contact a reputable credit file repairer. “

“A credit rating repairer is generally more aware of the appropriate legislation, experienced at researching case by case and presenting that information in the most effective manner to ensure the best possible chance of having the default removed – as it rightly should be” Mr DOESSEL says.

People can visit the MY CRA website for more information on identity theft – what to look for, tips on preventing it and what to do if people have been scammed or their identity stolen.

###

LINKS

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/police-head-north-to-crack-down-on-theft/story-e6frg6nf-1226000442845

http://www.crimecommission.gov.au/media/faq/financial_crime.htm

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/vultures-descend-on-victims-with-scams-20110116-19sm0.html

Please contact:

Graham Doessel       http://www.mycra.com.au/

Ph: 07 3124 7133

246 Stafford Road, STAFFORD QLD.

About MyCRA.com.au

MyCRA.com.au is 100% Australian owned and operated and we are based in Stafford, a northern suburb of Brisbane in Qld.

My CRA was developed for the sole purpose of giving clients access and ability to work with their Credit File.   This is in order to give them the best chance of getting approval, getting a lower interest rate or just to reduce the upfront fees that can be associated with obtaining credit. My CRA are able to help you get a copy of your credit file and from that determine how we can help repair a credit file.

We have more than 15 years combined experience in working with and helping clients with their credit files. We are the fastest known credit rating repair agency in Australia. We can often remove judgements in as little as 3 days.

As Director I [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][GRAHAM DOESSEL] previously owned a very successful mortgage brokerage company “Mortgage Now” before establishing My CRA because I saw a great need in the industry for credit repair.

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12/03/2011
Identity Theft the ticking time bomb in Australia

SAFETY of personal information needs to be taken more seriously in this country, to avoid Australian identity theft statistics rising to the percentages of those in the UNITED STATES, GRAHAM DOESSEL CEO of credit rating repair company MY CRA warns.

“Identity theft is the curse of the 21st Century and that is becoming more evident in our industry of credit rating repair. There are more and more people needing help with repairing their credit file due to having their identity misrepresented in some way.”

“With exposure of our personal information greater than ever before, opportunities for fraud are higher than ever” he says.

This follows a recent investigation into VODAFONE for allegations of possible breaches of privacy by having customer information available on a publically accessible internet site.

This investigation conducted by the Privacy Commissioner found the allegations were unsubstantiated, but his report, released 16 February did illustrate other areas of concern at VODAFONE in relation to privacy.

“Vodafone did not have appropriate security measures in place to protect customer’s personal information at the time. Consequently Vodafone was in breach of their obligations under the Privacy Act. I was particularly concerned by Vodafone’s use of shared logins and passwords for staff and the broad range of detailed personal information available to them.” Privacy Commissioner TIMOTHY PILGRIM says.

Vodafone agreed to review its IT security, and all appropriate staff including employees in retail stores and dealerships will be issued with individual login IDs and passwords.

Mr Pilgrim said that this case should serve as a reminder to all businesses using customer management systems to ensure that they have robust privacy protections built in.

The latest AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS data from a Personal Fraud Survey conducted in 2007 shows over 800,000 Australians were victims of at least one incident of personal fraud in the 12 months prior to interview, with over half of these victims incurring a financial loss.

Research in 2009 conducted by Galaxy Research for VEDA ADVANTAGE showed 4.4 million Australians were affected in some way by identity theft, compared to 3.8 million in the previous year.

The AUSTRALIAN CRIME COMMISSION now sites identity theft as the “fastest growing crime in AUSTRALIA.”

The A.C.C. says compromised financial information can be used directly to attempt to access someone’s accounts, or be used to obtain credit cards, loans or any other credit in the victims’ name.

Fraudsters have even been known to send SMS and emails from a compromised identity to victims’ friends and associates, asking for money on the victims’ behalf. This often involves a story in regards to the victim being stranded somewhere and requiring the funds urgently.

Current U.S. statistics point to 8.1 million people being victimized in 2010, according to a report by JAVELIN STRATEGY AND RESEARCH. Although that’s still a huge number, it’s 3 million fewer victims than in 2009.

So why have the U.S. statistics begun to improve? JAVELIN sites the top reason for the decrease is due to a significant drop in data breaches, or situations in which batches of personal information have become vulnerable to identity thieves.

The number of breaches last year was down by almost one-third, to 407 incidents, or 26 million records exposed, according to the DataLossDB project. Again, still a huge number, but down – from 604 breaches, or 221 million records exposed, in 2009.

“We definitely see evidence that the banks and other institutions are taking stronger precautions to prevent data breaches. Data breaches are a big deal. You are eight times more likely to be a victim of fraud if you get a data-breach notice.” James Van Dyke, president and founder of Javelin says.

He also sites consumer-education efforts as possibly another factor.

Mr DOESSEL says this demonstrates the importance of vigilance in the war against identity theft.

“It is so important for Australians to educate themselves on how to keep their information secure, and to demand that any information they are required to give over to any person or company be treated with the utmost privacy” Mr DOESSEL says.

“Our message at MyCRA to someone who has found themselves a victim of identity theft is two-fold. Firstly don’t be embarrassed to report it to police – it is only through identity theft being reported that data gets collected and appropriate preventative measures eventually get put in place.”

“Secondly don’t put up with the damage it causes to your credit file and to your life, get in touch with a reputable credit rating repairer who can help you to clear your credit file and restore the financial freedom you rightly deserve” he says.

Visit www.mycra.com.au for more information on identity theft.

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LINKS

PRIVACY COMMISSIONER’S STATEMENT:

http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_release_vodafone_omi.html

VEDA ADVANTAGE:

http://www.vedaadvantage.com/news-and-media/article.dot?id=505933

AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS:

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/1301.0Feature%20Article13012009%E2%80%9310?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=1301.0&issue=2009%9610&num=&view

A.C.C. IDENTITY CRIME STATEMENT:

http://www.crimecommission.gov.au/media/faq/financial_crime.htm

U.S. STATISTICS:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/09/AR2011020906064.html

12/03/2011
7 Reasons a Broker should recommend a credit rating repairer
When brokers meet clients many times they find that all the finances stack up well for approval, until a credit check is performed and it reveals some defaults that will not get the deal over the line. GRAHAM DOESSEL was a broker with his own company ‘MORTGAGE NOW’ before founding his credit rating repair company MY CRA.

He nominates bad credit ratings as being the number one frustration for many brokers. “Often times the clients don’t even know they have a bad credit rating. It’s only once the credit check is done that these problems arise – and sometimes unpaid bills for as little as $200 can kill the deal”.

“A loan with a non-conforming lender is not always viable. Also sometimes the clients aren’t willing to pay the higher interest rates for this type of loan” he says. Sometimes a non-conforming lender is not the only option to take to rescue a bad deal.

A credit rating repairer works by negotiating on behalf of the client to remove defaults from their credit file; thus clearing the file for any future borrowing. Here’s how a credit rating repairer can benefit these clients and your brokerage.
1. Saves time Turnaround can be slowed down because the credit file is not perfectly clear. Or if a client really needs to repair their credit rating to get approval, they have two options. They can have the default removed by a credit repairer, or they can take out a series of smaller loans and repay those in order to improve their rating. The latter can take months or years to improve someone’s rating, yet employing the services of a reputable credit repairer may only take a few days – depending on the nature of the default. “In some cases, brokers have recommended My CRA and we have cleared the credit file all within the finance clause of the house contract” Mr DOESSEL says. The credit repairer negotiates on behalf of the client to have the default/s removed from their file. This is due to professional knowledge of creditors, processes and current legislation.
2. Saves clients It could be possible to rescue those hundreds of clients per year who would not qualify for any loan due to crippling defaults. Although not every client is eligible for credit repair due to the nature of their default –for those who are eligible the success rate is high. The first step is to refer that client to a credit repairer who will assess their situation. “We have a 97.1% success rate in removal for every case we take on” he says.
3. Saves money Credit rating repair allows brokers to get a better deal for their client. Instead of referring people to a non-conforming lender at a high interest rate (of which they will switch in time and possibly pay exit fees to do so) the client can save thousands by having their credit file cleared. This would allow them to go with a lender at a lower interest rate. The fee they pay the credit repairer is miniscule compared with the thousands they will save on interest and exit fees.
4. Creates trust In business if someone is willing to really help clients with the best thing for them, they will reap the long term rewards. Sometimes the best thing for people is to start fresh with a clean slate. If brokers are able to offer people the best long term deal for them, then they may have that client for the long term and will be seen as their trusted advisor for life.
5. Creates referrals Clients will tell others how well they were looked after by not only the credit rating repair company but the broker who referred them in the first place. All business is sent back to the referring broker once the credit file is cleared.
6. Creates financial freedom A clear record can allow clients to take out not only first mortgages, but can be the catalyst that sets them on the road to borrowing for investment properties; business ventures etc – all using their familiar and trusted mortgage broker.
7. Educates and empowers If brokers were to recommend a credit check at their first meeting – it could save lots of heartache for the client and time for the broker. “More needs to be done to educate people on their credit rating, how easy it is to get a default slapped on their file and the ramifications of this before they are sitting opposite a broker applying for a home loan” “I tell people they should check their credit file every 12 months, much like they do with their super or bank statements to make sure everything is in order. This will pick up any errors straight away” Mr DOESSEL says.
For more information on credit repair and testimonials from brokers, please visit http://www.mycra.com.au/

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12/03/2011
NATIONAL CONSUMER FRAUD WEEK – SCAMS: IT’S PERSONAL

This week has been National Consumer Fraud week, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have themed this year as ‘Scams: It’s Personal’.

“While the overall financial cost of scams is high, we should not overlook the personal toll experienced by individuals who fall victim to these crimes.” Deputy Chairman of ACCC Peter Kell said.

As anyone who has ever been a victim of identity theft or scams of any form will tell you – the cost is huge both emotionally and financially. And it is damn personal.

Once some innocent person has taken the bait, fraudsters have the opportunity to financially ruin their victims.

In my line of work I deal every day with people who have defaults on their credit file. Defaults remain on someone’s file for 5 years unless they are removed due to the help of a credit file repairer.

Identity theft and scam victims have no easier time having the defaults removed from their file. They still have to fight tooth and nail to prove themselves, and still may only have the defaults marked as ‘paid’.

MyCRA works hard every day to help people in these situations get their finances and their lives back on track after they have been victims of fraud by helping to get those defaults removed.

However, prevention is better than the cure.

We recommend consumers go to the ACCC website http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/815401

Sign up to scam WATCH which has a host of relevant information, including details of current scams in AUSTRALIA. Read the ACCC’s book The little black book of scams which highlights the latest scams and how to go about protecting yourself.

Be educated about scams in your every day dealings both on and off-line and help educate your family and friends.

If you have been scammed – don’t be embarrassed– report it straight away.

Consider yourself fighting if not for yourself but for the next person they may not scam because you have blown the whistle.

Stay safe everyone!

10/03/2011
Book Graham Doessel to speak about Credit Rating Repairs at your industry event

If you would like Graham Doessel (Founder and CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repairs) to speak to your brokers at your AGM, PD Day or other event, please contact him at the contact us page http://www.mycra.com.au/contactus/ or call 07 3124 7133 QLD Business hours

08/03/2011
Plain English Credit – What you should know about taking on credit

What you should know about taking on credit

What is my credit rating?

Your credit rating is a file on your credit history and is collated by the major credit reporting agencies if you have ever been credit-active. Your credit rating is then checked by any financial institution or credit provider and is used to assess both the amount you are able to borrow and your ability to repay the loan.

What does ‘credit active’ mean?

Anyone that has borrowed money, or has established an account for services is credit active and will have a file in their name. This includes mobile phone plans, accounts with utility companies, rates accounts and of course loans of any kind.

What is defined as a ‘bad’ credit rating?

In broad terms, any credit defaults, court actions or writs, external administrations and bankruptcy are all recorded on your credit file and would be considered ‘bad’ credit history by most credit providers.

In this current economic climate basic defaults and even too many credit enquiries or applications for credit may be considered to be tarnishes on your credit rating.

How do I know if I have a bad credit rating?

If you are unsure what is on your credit file, it would be worth taking the time to find out.

There are three major credit reporting agencies in Australia: Veda Advantage – which holds the credit file of over 14 million Australians, Dun and Bradstreet and Tasmanian Collection Service.

You can write to or email one of these agencies and request a copy of your file. If you are not in a hurry there is no charge to you but it will take 10 working days from application to receive this information.

What is not realised by many people is how easy it is to have a default slapped on their file. If a bill is more than 60 days late (including rates, power, mobile phones) then a provider has the right to notify you of their intentions to record this default on your credit file. Even if this bill is paid and noted on your file, this default usually remains on your record for 5 years.

I have found defaults on my credit rating, what are the consequences of this?

If you discover you have a bad credit file, you will find it very difficult to obtain credit in the future. Generally this problem will keep occurring for the 5 years the default is on your file. This will probably prevent you from obtaining a home loan with most lenders and possibly lead to credit refusal of many kinds from cards to phone plans.

What can I do to fix my credit rating?

Once you have obtained a report there are three things to consider:

1. Check the accuracy of the report. If there are errors, be aware you do have the right to have errors rectified. Likewise, if there are numerous strange defaults and or applications for credit that you don’t recognise – you would need to immediately investigate these and notify Police in case of identity fraud.

2. Check you were informed of any intention to list. Current legislation requires you to have been informed in writing of any intention from creditors to list you as a defaulting on credit.

3. Check the fairness of the listing. Only serious credit infringements should be recorded, or overdue bills in which 60 days have elapsed since payment was due.

How does My CRA work to repair my credit rating?

In many cases where people have attempted to remove the default themselves, they have come across difficulties and defaults have not been cleared. Most times the creditor will explain to the client that defaults DONT EVER get removed. The best they can do is mark the listing as paid (if it’s been paid). This may not be sufficient to ensure credit is obtained with some lenders.

If you have a default, writ or judgement that has errors or just shouldn’t be there – there is a good chance that My CRA can actually remove it – meaning your financial future is looking a whole lot brighter.

My CRA works with creditors to negotiate on your behalf and work for your best outcome based on the creditor’s compliancy with the current legislation. We will also look at any other extenuating circumstances to determine if there is an avenue we can investigate which results in having the listing removed.

We have had up to a 91.7% success rate with cases we take on. Many credit ratings are cleared within or around 21 working days though some do take longer depending on the difficulty of the case.

Should I try to cut out all credit from now on?

Credit is not all bad. In fact, not having ever taken out credit can harm your chances of obtaining a loan just as much as having a bad credit rating.

However, we do advise you to be cautious with credit. Start small, for instance a mobile phone plan or store credit card. Make all repayments on time and work methodically to build up a solid credit history.

What can I do to maintain a good credit rating?

1. Make all payments on time. This is the easiest way to ensure there are no discrepancies or defaults on your credit file.

If you are unable to make a payment on time, contact the creditor. They may be able to set up a payment plan for you until you get back on your feet.

2. Regularly obtain a copy of your credit file – once a year is recommended.

3. Sign up for Veda Advantage’s Alert system. For approximately $50 per year they can send you a copy of your credit report and email you of any changes made to your credit file within the 12 months of membership.

4. Keep credit card limits within a set budget. Don’t be tempted to accept the sky high limits some banks offer as it could encourage you to spend needlessly and blow out your budget.

5. Be aware of excessive credit enquiries. If you are not sure about your credit health, get it checked before applying for new credit. Declined credit applications on a person’s file can hinder their chances of obtaining a loan. Some lenders are rejecting loans for as little as two enquiries in 30 days, or six enquiries within the year.

6. Don’t shop around for credit. You should only apply for credit you have full intention of pursuing. Every application for credit will be noted on your file, but it does not say whether the application was approved or declined. It could look to creditors like you have been declined multiple times.

Please Note: Our previous results of up to 91.7% have applied only to consumer applications and past results are no indication of future performance

25/02/2011
What Young People Need To Know and Do

As a young person, you should be extra vigilant with your credit file.

Generation Y is responsible for more than one third of Australia’s total consumer credit defaults, despite making up 20% of the entire credit active population. Gen Y also has more personal loan and telecommunication defaults than any other generation, relative to population size. (Statistics from Veda Advantage)

The system of credit we have is eager to suck people in but shows no remorse for people who fall off track. Young people have got to be wise and ensure they are making credit work for them, not letting it beat them.

Your credit file lists personal details like name and address, but also any times you have applied for credit, any defaults (overdue accounts), court judgements, writs and bankruptcies.

Many young people don’t realise how easy it can be to end up with a bad credit rating.

Here are some of the typical situations where you can find yourself with a black mark against your name:

Unpaid accounts: Any credit accounts or loans – including mobile phones and electricity that run over the due date are considered unpaid accounts. If they are not paid by the due date, creditors will make a note of it. If the account is not settled within 60 days from the due date, creditors can list this unpaid account or loan on your credit file as a default.

Moving/traveling: If you move around a lot, the danger can be ending up with defaults on your credit rating due to unpaid accounts you were not aware of. Typically an account gets sent to your previous address and remains unpaid and then listed as such on your credit file. Consider a P.O. Box for all your mail or alternatively a parent’s address.

Share accommodation: Any accounts which have your name on them, regardless of who intends to pay them are your responsibility – this includes rent. Sometimes people get caught out sharing houses, and someone leaves bills unpaid which then have dire consequences for your future.

Identity fraud: Young people are increasingly victims of identity theft – and often it is someone they know. Typically, someone uses your identity to secure credit in their name – mobile phone accounts, credit cards, store credit – in some cases even mortgages. See our website for more information on identity theft and how it could affect you.

To avoid the disappointment and embarrassment of finding out about your bad credit rating only after being declined credit, MY CRA recommend you check your credit file every 6-12 months to ensure there are no black marks against your name, just as you would check your bank statements or your super account.

You can request a copy of your credit file for free from the major credit reporting agencies – Veda Advantage, Dun & Bradstreet or Tasmanian Collection Services (if you are Tasmanian). This will be provided within 10 working days – or for a fee it can be provided urgently.

The consequences of a bad credit rating:

A bad credit rating sticks. Many times you will find you are black listed from credit for a five year period following a default on your record. Even having too many credit enquiries or a default from a simple unpaid phone bill can be enough to be refused a home loan with most lenders in the current economic climate.

Think of everything you want to achieve in the next five years. Maybe you would like to buy property, start a business, buy a motor vehicle, borrow money for travel, or even just take out a credit card. The chances of you being able to do this are greatly hindered with a bad credit rating.

A clear and healthy credit file really is the ticket to financial freedom.

How to repair your credit rating:

If a credit file check does uncover some nasty surprises – it could be possible to repair the damage done by contacting MY CRA.

If a default, writs or judgements has errors, has been entered unfairly, unjustly or just shouldn’t be there at all, we can help to remove the offending black mark and clear the file – something which you could find very difficult to do on your own.

Most times a credit reporting agency will tell you that defaults are never removed, but can be marked as paid. You are then stuck with a dodgy credit rating for 5 years. But you shouldn’t have to put up with it, as it is possible to have many defaults removed.

MY CRA has a 91.7% success rate in removing defaults on every case we take on. Usually the turn around is 21 working days though some can be longer depending on the difficulty of the case.

But, prevention really is better, and cheaper than the cure.

Credit reporting agency Veda Advantage suggests some further ways for young Australians to keep their credit rating clean:

• Pay bills on time.

• If people are having trouble paying, they should contact the organisation they owe money to, It may be possible to set up a payment extension system if people are honest about their situation. It is often the failure to respond to a bill or notify a business of your intention to pay that causes them to proceed to default stage.

• Don’t take submitting credit applications lightly. Current legislation in place means organisations running credit checks can’t see whether or not an application was successful – all they can see are the number of applications.

• Consider pre-paid mobile phone services.

• Keep addresses and other details accurate and up to date to ensure credit providers are sending notices to the correct address.

25/02/2011
Privacy Commissioner gets tough on Vodafone

An investigation into possible breaches of privacy by Vodafone reveals the privacy measures that are currently in place there are inadequate to ensure the security of its customers and could result in identity theft.

Recently I commented on an investigation underway by the Privacy Commissioner into allegations that Vodafone’s customer information was available on an internet site (MyCRA Blog January 10, 2010).

Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim has just released his findings and below are his statements:

“In the course of my investigation I did not find any evidence that substantiated the claim that Vodafone customers’ personal information was available on a publically accessible website. However, in my view, Vodafone did not have appropriate security measures in place to protect customer’s personal information at the time. Consequently Vodafone was in breach of their obligations under the Privacy Act,”

“I was particularly concerned by Vodafone’s use of shared logins and passwords for staff and the broad range of detailed personal information available to them.”

As part of an undertaking given to the Privacy Commissioner, Vodafone agreed to review its IT security, and all appropriate staff including employees in retail stores and dealerships will be issued with individual login IDs and passwords.

“I am pleased that on being made aware of the allegations Vodafone acted promptly to put in additional security measures to limit access to the personal information it holds. While I welcome the steps that were taken I have also asked Vodafone to report back to me on the progress of the review and implementation of increased security measures,” Mr Pilgrim said.

Mr Pilgrim said that this case should serve as a reminder to all businesses using customer management systems to ensure that they have robust privacy protections built in.

“All businesses must take the privacy of their customers seriously. Systems should be up to date and secure and staff should only have access to the information that is necessary for their work. To comply with the Privacy Act and retain the trust and loyalty of their customers, I urge businesses to review their data security practices to prevent the likelihood of a privacy breach occurring which could have the potential to lead to identity theft or fraud,” Mr Pilgrim warned

Security of your personal information should be taken very seriously.
The AUSTRALIAN CRIME COMMISSION now sites identity theft as the “fastest growing crime in AUSTRALIA.”
Compromised financial information can be used directly to attempt to access the victim’s accounts, or be used to obtain credit cards/ loans in the victims’ name.
Fraudsters have even been known to send SMS and emails from a compromised identity to victims’ friends and associates, asking for money on the victims’ behalf. This often involves a story in regards to the victim being stranded somewhere and requiring the funds urgently.
This is not to say that any Vodafone staff would be dishonest enough to misuse the information they had available to them, but it is good to know the new system they will be implementing will prevent this possibility.
Identity theft can catch anyone out and often times it is someone you know who has used credit in your name. For lack of reportage, we may not know the real scale of this crime.

Our message at MyCRA to someone who has found themselves victims of identity theft is firstly don’t be embarrassed to report it to police – it is only through identity theft being reported that data gets collected and appropriate preventative measures eventually get put in place.

Secondly don’t put up with the damage it causes to your credit file and to your life.

Get in touch with us at MyCRA and see how we can help you get your financial freedom back again.
Visit our site for more information on identity theft and how to prevent it happening to you.

www.mycra.com.au

LINKS
PRIVACY COMMISSIONER’S STATEMENT:
http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_release_vodafone_omi.html
ACC IDENTITY CRIME STATEMENT:
http://www.crimecommission.gov.au/media/faq/financial_crime.htm

25/02/2011
First Telstra & Now Vodafone… What Privacy Protection Do We Really Have?

Recently I blogged about Telstra allegedly breaching the privacy of some 200,000 clients by sending out letters to clients containing the details of other Telstra clients phone services and contact details.

Now it seems, Vodafone have allegedly breached privacy also..

According to a OAIC release, Vodafone have allegedly allowed personal and private Client information to have been available on a website which may have breached the Privacy Act.

I am glad I am not a Vodafone client right now.

MyCRA works everyday with clients that have defaults on their credit files and with hundreds of thousands of ‘reported’ cases of Identity Theft every year in Australia, this Vodafone issue is just what the organised gangs are after to steal more identities.

The following excerpt is directly from the OAIC Media release:

The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Mr Timothy Pilgrim, will investigate allegations that Vodafone has made the personal information of its customers available via an internet site.

“Our Office takes all allegations of privacy breaches very seriously. All organisations should ensure the security of their customers’ personal information or risk breaching the Privacy Act and causing serious customer dissatisfaction and possible loss of business as a result,” Mr Pilgrim said.

“The Office’s first step will be to determine whether Vodafone’s activities constitute a breach of the Privacy Act. I am concerned about the amount of personal information that may have been disclosed which could include sensitive information. For this reason I have opened an own motion investigation into the matter today. I have spoken with the CEO of Vodafone and he has assured me of Vodafone’s full cooperation,” Mr Pilgrim said.

The Australian Privacy Commissioner also advised that if an individual believes their privacy has been interfered with they should first contact Vodafone and if they are not satisfied with their response they can make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

If you have fallen victim to Identity Theft, firstly report it to the police and cancel any accounts that may have been affected.

Once you have that area under control, Give MyCRA Credit Rating Repair a call and we can guide you through the process of removing any black marks that may have appeared on your credit file or credit rating as a result of the Identity theft Issue

You can contact MyCRA Credit Rating Repair on 07 3124 7133 or www.MyCRA.com.au

10/01/2011