1 in 6 a victim of ID theft, or Govt statistics?

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 04 July 2011 12:39

Opinion and Analysis

Uh-oh, a survey of only 1200 people is being used by the Federal Government to 'developed a new National Identity Security Strategy', raising fears that the 'Australia Card' still might be coming back, while showcasing how ineffectual Government efforts have been in offering much protection against ID theft.

When it comes to taking responsibility for your online security and the sanctity of your online identity, one this is clear: the ultimate responsibility for this is yours, and yours alone.

After all, years of cyber-security warnings, updates, wake-up calls, hack attacks and ID thefts have done little to stem the tide of online criminal activity, with Government efforts at boosting security seemingly as effective as an order from King Canute to stop the tide.

Given that history is so often ignored, Governments will try, try and try again, it's no surprise to see Australia's Federal Government come out with a report stating that: 'New research shows identity theft affects one in six people', which iTWire colleague Stuart Corner covered earlier in his article entitled "Identity, theft and six degrees of separation", and is also well worth reading, especially as it goes into further detail over new "Australia Card" implications.

Unfortunately for statistics, statisticians and governments, the stat that "ID theft affects one in six people" is then immediately stretched to its limits by stating that 'nearly one in six Australians have been a victim or known somebody who has been a victim of identity theft or misuse in the past six months.'

Umm'¦ ok. By that measure, you could easily state that every single Australian 'has been a victim or known somebody who has been a victim of (insert criminal activity or anything you want here) in the past six months'.

Every single Australian has been affected by uninspiring politicians. Every single Australian has been touched by cancer, or murder, or gambling addictions, or smoking.

I mean, I can say anything I want to here if I put in the caveat that 'you' have 'known somebody' who has been affected by cancer, or criminals, or Facebook addiction, or boring Government ministers, or whatever.

I guess it gives added meaning to the term 'lies, damned lies and statistics'.

Of course, there are real concerns over ID theft and online crime. It is, after all, a booming business and a serious threat to everyone worldwide, not just here in little ol' Australia.

Australia's Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland stated in his media release that: 'It's clear from these results that there is real concern in the Australian community about identity theft and misuse.

'As technology evolves and people undertake more business and transactions online, the risk of identity theft increases.

'This week, the Government introduced new legislation into Parliament to strengthen cyber security laws and enhance Australia's ability to combat international cyber crime.'

Continued on page two, please read on.