1000 city residents at risk of ID fraud

THE deputy commissioner of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) confirmed that 1000 Toowoomba residents’ financial information may have been visible online for “months”.

Deputy commissioner Angelene Falk said her organisation had shut down the Amazing Rentals website, responsible for the security breach, as soon as it was alerted a few weeks ago.

ID documents, credit application forms and bank statements of 1000 Toowoomba residents were all left visible on the Amazing Rentals website.

The company has now ceased trading, but the leaks have left customers at risk of identity fraud.

“We had the website shut down within 24 hours, but it may have been online for several months,” Ms Falk said.

“In terms of how it became available online; that is still subject to our investigation.”

There are few details about how the security breach occurred, but the OAIC confirmed that financial information of customers of Amazing Rentals was left visible online.The OAIC also released a statement urging Toowoomba residents to take “proactive steps’.

“Right now, all previous customers are encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their personal information and prevent ID theft.

“While we do not know if information that was available on the website has been misused, we are encouraging former customers of Amazing Rentals to be alert to the possibility of identity fraud and take some basic precautions.”

Anyone with concerns should call the OAIC hotline on 1300 363 992.