Sometimes our data is stolen from us by hackers. Sometimes it's wheedled out of us by devious scammers, often posing as someone else, such as a phone engineer. But often we give it away carelessly, with too little awareness of its value – and the ways it could be used against it. Find out how to keep a tighter rein on your data, and protect yourself and your family against hacks and scams.
Data privacy and safety
Data privacy and saftey
How to take control of your data.
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Articles
Qantas data hack exposes alarming gap in consumer protections
CHOICE repeats call for an airline ombuds scheme following a massive data breach at Australia's largest carrier.
Australian super system caught unprepared for cyber attack
Banks, telcos and social media platforms are required to protect Australians from scams, but the super industry is exempt
'What was stolen?' Victim of IVF data hack says company has kept them in the dark
Genea patient claims poor communication following hack of extremely sensitive health data.
Why does a business I left years ago still have my data?
Businesses are supposed to delete your personal info after you're no longer a customer, but that doesn't seem to be happening.
3 out of 4 Australians harmed by a data breach
A new report reveals that very few of us feel in control of our data privacy.
Major data breaches go from rare to routine
A cybersecurity firm warns that Australian businesses must do better.
Five steps to take if you've been scammed
Think you might've fallen foul of a scam? Find out how to report and limit your losses.
Heartless romance scammers exploiting people with disability
Those looking for love and living with disability are being hit hard by scams. CHOICE investigates, with tips for staying safe.
How to check if a text or email is a scam
Received a message that looks a bit suspicious? Here's how to verify if it's authentic or the work of a scammer.
AI voice scams: What you need to know
With the latest phone scams, it's even harder to spot fact from fake.
What is the MediSecure breach and how does it affect you?
The breach is bigger than the Optus leak and includes sensitive information
Latitude Finance breach affecting customers of many current and former businesses
Greg hasn’t used a credit product associated with Latitude in many years, so why was his personal data caught in the breach?
What to do if you've been caught in a data breach
Scammers and hackers can use your information to steal from, impersonate and defraud you or your loved ones.
Romance scam warning: Why love and money don't mix
Australians lost $40 million to romance scams last year, usually after connecting on a dating site or social media.
What is doxxing, and how can you avoid it?
How doxxers cause harm by finding and exposing your sensitive or personal information.
Why aren't businesses doing more to stop us from getting scammed?
A new CHOICE report reveals four out of five scam victims received no warning before transferring money to a scammer.
Loyalty program customers warned over latest impersonation scam
How to avoid the new scam targeting people holding loyalty points with major companies including Qantas, Coles and Telstra.
How to make sense of a privacy policy
Privacy policies are lengthy and often full of jargon, so just what should you look out for?
Older Aussies losing more than ever to scammers
Total scam losses are down, but we still lost $2.74 billion last year and some groups are being disproportionately impacted.
NDIS recipient information hacked in major data breach
Personal identification and sensitive health information of recipients of the National Disability Insurance Scheme hacked.
Australia needs stricter anti-scam laws now
CHOICE is calling on the government to make banks reimburse scam victims for their losses.
You're more likely to be scammed when you're stressed
Research shows that staying calm, cool and collected may be your best defense.
Consumer groups issue blueprint to force Meta and Google to do more on scams
CHOICE joins global statement, as own data shows 9 out of 10 Australians think tech giants must do more to protect consumers.
How to avoid and report impersonation scams
Scams Awareness Week is here and this year we're giving you advice on how to spot and report impersonation scams.
How to stay anonymous online
You can protect your identity online by focusing on anonymity rather than privacy.
Scams targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers on the rise
The ACCC warns that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are increasingly becoming the victims of scams, with remote communities facing unique challenges.
Scams are surging – CHOICE calls on banks to do more
We're fighting for stronger regulations to protect Australians from increasing instances of fraud.
Bank impersonation fraud: What you need to know to avoid being scammed
How this new form of phishing works, and what to look out for to keep your savings safe.
10 online scams you need to know about
And the tips and tricks to help you avoid them.
Cyber crimes surge in second half of 2022
The latest OAIC report indicates companies must do more to protect consumer data.
Customers 'horrified', 'frustrated' by Medibank's data hack response
Medibank customers caught up in the data hack tell CHOICE of their frustration at the insurer's poor response.
What happens to stolen data on the dark web?
Medibank customers have been informed that their hacked data has been released on the dark web, but what does that mean?
Harcourts real estate reveals major data breach
In an email to customers, the agency reportedly admitted that names, addresses, banking details and more are now likely in the hands of hackers.
Millions impacted as Medibank data breach fallout grows
The health fund initially said no customer data had been accessed. Now it says data of some 4 million members has been breached.
What to do if you've been caught up in the Optus data breach
Optus says up to 9.8 million people may have had their data breached. Here's what to do if you’re one of them.
Viral victims: Scam survivors trying to recoup their losses online
Scam victims are turning to the web to recover their losses, but advocates say banks should be doing more to support them.
Four things to do with your data before you die
With so much of our data and assets now stored online, how do we make sure our loved ones aren’t locked out after we die?
How to secure your Google account
We look at how to protect the personal and private information in your Google account.
Complaints about credit reporting firm Equifax
CHOICE has heard from a number of Equifax customers who say the services they pay for are falling short.
Meet the new CHOICE team tackling data misuse
We're taking on consumer data misuse and harmful automated decision-making.
How to avoid giving away your personal details online
Sometimes hackers ask politely for the information they need. Here's how to steer clear of their tricks on social media.
Drowning in privacy policies: CHOICE calls for reform
On average, Australians are asked to read and consent to 116 privacy policies – or 467,000 words.
How to remove metadata from photos and videos
A picture paints a thousand data points – here's how you can better protect your privacy.
What does Windows Security do?
We look at Windows Security features beyond antivirus and firewall and how you can customise your settings.
Equifax data breach a 'one-off', agency claims
When an Equifax customer logged in and saw someone else's details, he worried about the safety of his own personal data.
Steer clear of fake Dyson Facebook pages offering $4 products
The company tells CHOICE it has no links to bogus Facebook pages and urges customers to ignore them.
How two-factor authentication can protect your password
Improved password security will make your online accounts less vulnerable to hackers.
How to control your app permissions
What do your apps know about you?
Avoid online scams: phishing
What is phishing, how can you spot it and what can you do?
Online competitions – the tricks and traps
Too good to be true? Don't be fooled by alluring prizes.
How to control your cookie settings
Stop companies tracking your activity online.
How to change your Facebook privacy settings
What you can do to limit your personal data being shared by Facebook.
Family Zone review
A cyber gatekeeper for all your digital devices – including phones, tablets and games consoles.
Personal health record online
There’s a growing range of websites, apps and services that give you online access to your medical records.
Online safety guide
Security tips to protect against scams, spam, malware, ransomware and viruses.
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