Beware of scams
Cyber criminals want to gain your trust and steal your personal information.
Cyber criminals are impersonating Service NSW in email, text message (SMS), mail and over the phone.
Always remember, Service NSW will never:
- call you to ask for a code or password
- put you under pressure to act instantly
- send you a link asking you to log in directly from an email or text message (SMS).
Only contact Service NSW using the phone number or online form on our website.
Protect your MyServiceNSW Account
Your security is our priority. While we take reasonable security measures to protect your personal information, there are important things you can do too.
You can take proactive steps to protect your MyServiceNSW Account:
- Use a strong password. Go to the ID Support NSW website to test the strength of your passwords. Do not use the same password for any other website or online account.
- Change your password if prompted when you log in to your MyServiceNSW Account. We use the latest technology to check for leaked passwords.
- For multi-factor authentication (MFA), use the Service NSW app and reputable authenticator apps (for example, Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator). These apps are more secure MFA methods than text message (SMS).
- If you receive a code or notification that you did not request, change your MyServiceNSW Account password.
- If you get an email saying the PIN for your Service NSW app has been set up or changed but you did not make the change, take action immediately. Log in and change your MyServiceNSW Account password. To prevent identity fraud, replace your NSW Driver Licence if you added it to your account.
- If you suspect your MyServiceNSW Account login information has been compromised, contact us immediately.
Protecting your devices is important too, as they usually store your personal information (including login details). You can take proactive steps to protect your devices:
- Stop and think before you click. Clicking unknown links and attachments could compromise your device. Carefully examine emails, text messages, and websites for anything that looks suspicious. Messages with links, especially those you are not expecting, are more likely to be fraudulent. Artificial intelligence (AI) is also being used to produce more targeted and personalised scams, so be sure a message is genuine before you interact.
- Keep your operating system software and apps up to date. Check for updates frequently, or turn on automatic updates.
- Install anti-virus software and check for malware (computer viruses) regularly on all devices. Mobile phones can and do get viruses. Malware can give cyber criminals access to your usernames and passwords without you knowing.
- Never install an app or program because someone tells you to. Only install apps or programs you need, trust and understand.
- Avoid public wi-fi and never log into your account on public wi-fi. Cyber criminals can intercept your connection, putting your messages, payment information, and passwords at risk. Use your mobile phone’s personal hotspot instead.
- Set your mobile device to lock after a period of inactivity. Use face verification or fingerprint verification to unlock your mobile device. If using a pattern or code, be mindful of your surroundings and position yourself so your screen is not easily visible to others. You should also know where your phone is at all times.
General advice to help you stay safe online
ID Support NSW offers free resources and tools to protect against identity theft and data breaches.
Find practical guidance on protecting your personal information, privacy, passwords and devices.
Learn how to recognise, avoid and recover from identity misuse.
Complete ID Support NSW’s self-paced learning modules on staying safe online.
Act immediately if notified of an issue
Organisations must notify you if your personal data has been involved in a data breach.
If you have had your NSW driver licence details exposed during a data breach, you need to replace your card.
Service NSW has measures in place to ensure our systems and customer information are secure. If a data breach or cyber attack were to occur, we will notify and support any customers affected. We recommend you only contact Service NSW using the phone number or online form on our website.
Get support
If you believe your personal information has been stolen, used or accessed without your knowledge or consent, go to ID Support NSW or call 1800 001 040.
ID Support NSW will guide you through protecting your identity, accounts and devices.
Related links
- Leaked passwords – MyServiceNSW Account
- Report identity theft, scams or cybercrime
- Domestic and family violence