Identity fraud

Protecting the community from identity fraud is important for you and for Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority).

Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes in Australia and costs the Australian community billions of dollars every year.

Someone could steal your identity and use it for fraudulent purposes. It’s therefore very important that you be careful who you give your licence or Photo Card details to. 

Types of fraud include:

  • Financial fraud, such as taking out loans that will never be repaid and setting up fraudulent businesses; and
  • Immigration fraud, including people smuggling and undetected movement of criminals between countries.

Only police officers or Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority)-authorised personnel are permitted to seize a licence or Photo Card. Other than at Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority), your licence or Photo Card should only be copied or scanned with your permission.

What does Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) do to prevent identity fraud?

In addition to strict proof of identity requirements, Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) also has a number of other measures in place to help prevent identity fraud from occurring.

These measures include:

  • Comparison of customers with a stored photo image
  • Referral of difficult or suspicious customer enrolment cases to a specialist Proof of Identity Unit.
  • Validation of key proof of identity documents with the issuing authorities, where necessary.
  • Significant security features in the licence card and Photo Card.
  • Recording driver licences/Photo Cards reported as lost or stolen when an application for a replacement is made.
  • Facial Recognition System.

If you think you are a victim of identity fraud

If you believe that somebody may have stolen your identity, a restriction can be placed on your Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) record so that full proof of identity is required by anyone attempting to do business with Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) in your name. Call 13 22 13 for assistance.

More information

The following links provide more information on identity fraud: