Identity crime and misuse in Australia: Results of the 2018 online survey

This report presents the findings of the latest survey of identity crime and misuse undertaken by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) as part of the Australian Government’s National Identity Security Strategy. Identity crime is one of the most prevalent forms of criminal activity in Australia and can have severe and lasting consequences for victims. In 2018, nearly 10,000 people from across Australia were surveyed about their experience of victimisation, over their lifetime and during the preceding 12 months. The survey results for 2018 are compared with those of the 2017 identity crime survey. The 2018 survey found 25 percent of respondents had experienced misuse of their personal information at some time during their life, with 12 percent experiencing it in the previous 12 months. Similar numbers of respondents reported out-of-pocket losses in 2018 (945) and 2017 (950). The total out-of-pocket losses experienced were substantially lower in 2018 ($2m) than in 2017 ($2.9m). The results from the 2018 survey help policymakers to raise awareness of identity crime and reduce its impact throughout Australia.