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ID theft: What happens and what can I do?

Privacy is about having control over how much, when and how information about your person should be spread to other parties. ID theft can thus be defined as any type of violation of this.

This is identity theft

If someone:

  • is wholly or partly capable of performing some form of unwanted transaction in another person's name
  • gains access to resources belonging to others
  • wrongfully aquire rights belonging to others

How?

Identity theft can happen by someone gaining access to your national identity number from:

  • your UiO access card
  • other ID
  • Internet (for example if a institution who has your national identity number accidentially publishes it)
  • letters or documents that are thrown out in stead of being shredded

What can happen?

If someone has access to your national identity number, it is relatively easy to create a fake ID in your name, but with a different picture. With this ID someone can get new credit cards, mobile phone subscriptions, they can buy expensive items on credit, furniture and clothes etc. 

What do I do when the damage has been done?

If you're credit or debit card is missing or has been stolen, it is important to block them by calling your bank.

If you think your national identity number has possibly been taken, there are some precautions to take: Any Norwegian company providing credit services makes a credit chech of the customer in advance. You can prevent misuse of your identity by blocking the credit check from the Norwegian credit information companies.

You may also consider blocking any requested redirects of your mail to prevent scammers from exploiting this to obtain mail that may contain personal information.

To learn more about what you can do in these situations, check out NorSIS' web page (only in Norwegian).

Published Mar. 29, 2019 8:33 AM - Last modified Mar. 29, 2019 8:42 AM