After a major data breach — especially one involving your driver’s licence, passport, or other government ID — placing a credit ban (also called a credit freeze) is one of the most important protective steps you can take. Here’s exactly how to do it in Australia.
What Is a Credit Ban?
A credit ban prevents credit providers from accessing your credit file. This means no one — including you — can be approved for new credit (loans, credit cards, phone contracts) until the ban is lifted.
It does not affect your existing credit accounts, credit score, or ability to use accounts you already have.
When Should You Place One?
- Your driver’s licence or passport number was stolen (Latitude breach, for example)
- You suspect you’re a victim of identity theft
- You’ve received unexpected credit enquiry notifications
- You want proactive protection after any significant data breach
Not sure if you’re at risk? Check your breach exposure first →
Australia’s Three Credit Bureaus
You need to contact all three, as different lenders use different bureaus:
Equifax (formerly Veda)
- Phone: 13 83 32
- Online: equifax.com.au/credit-ban
- Free for 21 days; $9.95 to extend by 12 months
Experian
- Phone: 1300 783 684
- Online: experian.com.au
- Free initial ban; fee to extend
illion (formerly Dun & Bradstreet)
- Phone: 1300 734 806
- Online: illion.com.au
- Free initial ban
Step-by-Step: How to Place a Credit Ban
- Contact each bureau by phone or online
- Verify your identity (you’ll need your full name, DOB, address, and one piece of ID)
- Request a credit ban — specify you’re doing it due to a data breach
- They’ll confirm and give you a reference number — keep this
- The ban takes effect immediately
- Repeat for all three bureaus
Total time: about 30-45 minutes for all three.
How Long Does It Last?
Initial bans are typically free for 21 days in emergency situations. You can pay a small fee (~$10-20 per bureau) to extend for 12 months. Most people dealing with serious ID theft maintain the ban for 12 months.
How to Lift the Ban When Needed
If you want to apply for new credit (home loan, car finance etc), you can temporarily lift the ban by contacting each bureau. Lift times vary — Equifax is immediate, others may take a few business days — so plan ahead.
Other Steps to Take Alongside a Credit Ban
- Get a free copy of your credit report from each bureau to check for existing fraud
- Set up alerts with your bank for unusual transactions
- Consider renewing your driver’s licence if the number was stolen
- Contact Medicare (132 011) if your Medicare number was involved
Check Your Full Exposure
A credit ban is one layer of protection. For a complete picture of what personal data about you is circulating online and exactly what to do about it, a DataGuard Personal Audit covers everything for $99 →