Optus supports customers with identity fraud protection

With millions of customers at high risk of identity fraud, Optus has announced they are making a 12 month subscription to credit report monitoring service Equifax available to the most affected customers

While the details aren’t clear, we can assume those customers who Optus has confirmed had their ID documents such as password or drivers license stolen in the data breach will receive this service 

Optus say “We are now taking a further step to help reduce the risk of identity theft. Optus is offering the most affected current and former customers whose information was compromised because of a cyberattack, the option to take up a 12-month subscription to Equifax Protect at no cost. 

“Equifax Protect is a credit monitoring and identity protection service that can help reduce the risk of identity theft. No passwords or financial details have been compromised.”

This service will allow customers to get alerts to any activity on their credit report such as applications for credit cards or loans. 

Optus will contact these customers in the “coming days” and will not include any links in that communication – presumably the details and subscription initiation will occur in the Optus account page or app.

It’s yet to be seen how those who are no longer customers, and thus do not have an Optus account login – will initiate this service 

The Equifax Protect service comes at a cost of between $120 and $180 per year, the offer of Free access from Optus will be peace of mine for many; though the risk of ID fraud is present for far longer than 12 months.