Canberrans who have been deemed most at risk of identity theft or fraud due to the Optus data breach are to receive a new driver licence card for free.
Announcing the arrangement the Minister for Business and Better Regulation, Tara Cheyne said that in the ACT, every driver licence issued included two separate number fields that (since 1 September) needed to be used together to verify someone’s identity.
“Optus has advised the ACT Government that a small number of ACT residents have had both numbers released in the data breach, and these people are most at risk of identity theft or fraud,” Ms Cheyne said.
“A replacement card is necessary for these individuals,” she said.
“For the vast majority of Canberrans who have only had one of these fields released in the breach, the risk of someone using a compromised driver licence for fraudulent purposes is significantly reduced at this time.”
Ms Cheyne said this was because the licence could no longer be used for identification purposes without both numbers.
She reassured Canberrans that the ACT Government was working around the clock to support the community.
“We are working closely with our Commonwealth colleagues and Optus to mitigate security issues resulting from the Optus data breach,” the Minister said.
“The ACT Government’s priority will be providing support to members of our community that are most at risk from the data breach.”
Ms Cheyne said Access Canberra had established a dedicated team to support impacted customers to obtain a new driver licence card number and would work directly with them based on their individual circumstances.
“We will be prioritising those who have had both their licence number and card number compromised in the breach,” she said.
“We understand that people are concerned and that’s why we will be working quickly to ensure we can provide new cards as soon as possible.”
For Canberrans replacing their cards, Ms Cheyne said the new card would amend one of the fields, which would remove the risk of their driver licence information being used incorrectly.
She said the fee to replace a driver licence card was $42.60, which Optus had agreed to credit into affected customers’ accounts when advising them that their details had been compromised.
“While the risk is significantly reduced for the majority of Canberrans who have only had one of these numbers compromised, we know this is still an anxious time,” the Minister said.
“If you have been contacted by Optus and require support, you can contact the Resolution and Support Team by calling 13 22 81 and selecting option one, Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.”
Further information on how to replace a driver licence card can be accessed at this PS News link.
