If scammers know your name and address, they can target you with phishing campaigns, spoofed advertisements, and fake offers. Any information you give them can be used to fully steal your identity.
In short, the answer is “no.” Which is a good thing, as your name and address are in fact part of the public record. Anyone can get a hold of them. However, because they are public information, they are still tools that identity thieves can use.
Cybercriminals can use your IP address to find out your location, track your every move online, and even intercept your online traffic. Keeping your IP address private is simple. Read our Surfshark VPN review to learn how refreshingly cheap and easy it is to protect yourself online.
Notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that you have been phished. The FTC is the nation's consumer protection agency. The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection works for the consumer to prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices in the marketplace.
What they want are account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards. Identity thieves can take out loans or obtain credit cards and even driver's licenses in your name.
Physical Theft: examples of this would be dumpster diving, mail theft, skimming, change of address, reshipping, government records, identity consolidation. Technology-Based: examples of this are phishing, pharming, DNS Cache Poisoning, wardriving, spyware, malware and viruses.
The easiest way to become a victim of a bank scam is to share your banking info — e.g., account numbers, PIN codes, social security number — with someone you don't know well and trust. If someone asks for sensitive banking details, proceed with caution.
Scammers Can Impersonate You
After hacking your email accounts, they can use the account to impersonate you and contact your family members or friends. They can trick them into believing you're in big trouble and need financial aid. Others can send your contacts malicious links.
One of the major risks of scammers having your email address is that they'll use it to hack into your other online accounts. With your email address, they can request password resets, try entering your other passwords that have been leaked online, and even break into your email account.
It may give them information they need to steal money or uncover other personal information that can then be sold on the web. They can also mine your contacts list to send out phishing emails and/or malware to compromise even more accounts or defraud the people you know!
Your identity can be stolen.
With access to sensitive information like pay stubs, bank statements, and healthcare details, identity thieves could open new accounts or order a new driver's license, which they can then use for further crimes under your name. (You can find out more on the USA.gov website.)
Most of us know the importance of making our passwords and PINs secure and keeping them out of fraudsters' hands. But even simple details such as your full name, date of birth and address can be used to commit identity fraud.
Fraudsters usually hide their identities to evade detection. However, in the same way as transaction records create a path to track stolen funds, the electronic communication methods used to commit the fraud also leave a trail that can be used to identify the perpetrator.
It's also possible hackers could use your email account to gain access to your bank account or credit card information, draining funds from an account, or racking up charges. They might even use your email and password to sign up for online sites and services, sticking you with monthly fees in the process.
Once hackers have your number, they can use it to gain access to your most sensitive and valuable data, such as your: Email accounts and contact lists. Financial assets and bank accounts. Current and previous home addresses.
Refer to Scamwatch.
If you get a scam message or phone call, you should ignore it and report it to ACCC's Scamwatch. Report a cybercrime or security incident on ReportCyber. Your help keeps Australia secure.
Phone hackers can also use classic phishing attacks to trick you into clicking on malware-laden links. These scams can occur via emails, fake text messages, WhatsApp and other messaging services, or even social media direct messages (DMs).
Plus, changing your number may not prevent identity theft or spam in the future, especially if the real issue is a data breach or compromised online account. If you change your number: Let your friends and family know immediately. Update your account information with financial institutions, social media, etc.
Your name, address and date of birth provide enough information to create another 'you'. An identity thief can use a number of methods to find out your personal information and will then use it to open bank accounts, take out credit cards and apply for state benefits in your name.
When a scammer has your bank account and routing numbers, they could set up bill payments for services you're not using or transfer money out of your bank account. It's tough to protect these details because your account number and routing number are printed right at the bottom of your checks. But do your best.
To keep your information safe, we suggest only providing your BSB and account number to people you know and trust (such as family, friends or your employer etc.)