This was posted 2 years 1 month 13 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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[NSW] NSW Drivers Licence Replacement Fee Reimbursed for Optus Data Breach Customers @ Service NSW

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Just received email from Service NSW:

The NSW Government is working with Optus to support impacted customers following the recent cyberattack on the Telco’s database.

Customers will receive notifications from Optus on the necessary remediation activities in relation to their driver licences.

If Optus recommends a customer replace their licence, or a customer wishes to replace it as a precaution they can do so online, visit a Service Centre or call 13 77 88.

NOTE: You will need to pay for the replacement and discuss with an Optus representative if you wish to be reimbursed.

Replacement licence fee for P1, P2 or unrestricted: $29

More details in the link.


See Also: Driver License replacements for other states.

QLD, SA, VIC, TAS, WA, NT

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NSW Government
NSW Government
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closed Comments

  • +20

    Please note

    You will need to pay for the replacement and discuss with an Optus representative if you wish to be reimbursed.

    • +3

      So they can potentially decline if they dont think yours was definitely compromised?

    • +3

      I don't the 4 hours required for that polava. I'll just keep my current licence and point to optus if identity fraud ever eventuates.

    • sit in a que and then gets rejected

  • +14

    Also only get reimbursed if Optus themselves deems that you one of the lucky few that had both the driver license and card number leaked. Haven't heard of anyone receiving emails regarding driver license renewal reimbursement as yet. Live chat will 100% decline the reimbursement.

    I don't trust Optus to be emailing everyone. In fact it is in their interest to send out as little as possible.

    For anyone that has got a replacement and Optus is refusing to reimburse. I suggest to go directly to TIO to make a complaint with the original email or screenshot from live chat .

    https://www.tio.com.au/complaints

    • +3

      Most definitely do this.

      Will cost the pricks more than $29 to deal with each case.

      • Just sent mine off.
        Can't get through to Optus via chat or phone.

        • use the My Optus app. I sent a msg at 4pm yesterday and only got a response after midnight! At that time it's was some foreign contact centre doing the rounds and answers i got wasn't useful. They are giving away some credit monitoring subscription at Equifax for customers to monitor credit status, but the guy couldn't answer if they will be reimbursing me or not.

    • I will be, because this is not a bargain. Except when you are hacker asking for our data. Optus want $750 to break my contract.(well they broke it by allowing my data to be stolen)
      So my bargain will be to port to Telstra and receive a $700 or $1000 gift card.

  • +1

    A call centre or shop front?

  • +7

    This changes your 'card number' only, not your 'license number'. So don't bother doing this if the license Optus has on file is expired.

    • Wasn't that since 1st Sept 2022 they require both to validate the DL ? or you got a different case….

      • +1

        Yes, but I am referring to Service NSW and what they are offering here; they will only allow you to change the card number.

  • I was a Catch mobile customer uses Optus network, does that mean I'm safe? Or not??

  • +5

    Betcha the NSW Department of Customer Service are thanking their lucky stars that they coincidentally started requiring the NSWDL card number for document verification at the start of the month before this whole shitshow started.

    Otherwise they'd be scrambling like the other states' roads departments to modify or bodge together some solution for their ramshackle systems which assume the licence numbers stay the same for the rest of the person's life to work out some sort of compromise.

    I'd want to keep my licence number even if it were leaked. I remember mine off by heart, a lot of my friends and family do as well. Now it's just going to be like a car registration plate which can be exposed to everyone, but can't really be used for ID theft.

    • Apparently it was supposed to start in July too.

  • I'm glad I owe Optus for my bill they nicely sent out on the 24th September.
    I'll just deduct the $29.13 (inc processing fee) and maybe pay the rest.

    • +1

      Your processing fee is reqlly cheap!

      Mine is a lot more because ita a once off manual processing fee.

  • +6

    Tinfoil hat warning 😅

    Strange how the other states had their licensing replacement sorted earlier during the week and is free across the board (who knows if they've got a deal with Optarse?), yet the state where the former head of state and governing party works for them is pretty much the last one to come to the party and is a deal via redemption. You would think that they would have used the valued contacts to get ahead of the rest. 🤔🤷🏽‍♂️

    • [wild speculation warning] might be the other way round, because it's other states, they can just throw the bill to optus and tell them to deal with it. lol

    • Which states are you referring to. Certainly not Vic who won't entertain any replacement unless they're advised by Optus that your details have been stolen. Yeah like I'm going to f'kn let the company who f'ked up decide whether I'm at risk or not.

    • Maybe has something to do with Optus and ServiceNSW having a partnership signed in August for $42 million

      https://switzer.com.au/the-experts/peter-switzer/gladys-says…

  • +4

    Such a pain to do this in NSW when most other state governments are offering replacements for free and will be asking Optus to cover the cost directly so customers don't have to.

    I'm not a current Optus customer and never got an email from them but received an SMS that only says "…the number of the ID document you provided us." How exactly am I supposed to remember which ID document I provided? Why not just tell me? I read previously that Optus may reimburse in the form of a bill credit but there's just been no info on how they'll reimburse those no longer with them.

    • +1

      Yeah, when I closed my last service with them a couple of days ago there was a recorded message that said that optus credit would automatically be provided to those affected. Even though I had closed all my accounts they said I'd still receive reimbursement via credit, which might suggest they are intending to try this with everybody.

      Obviously Optus would prefer this as it's simpler and they're effectively paying themselves, but it feels like Service NSW is actively enabling this to happen by not providing the services free of charge (like most other states) and seeking direct reimbursement from Optus.

      • +1

        Surely it isn't legal to give imaginary money aka credit to former customers as compensation for their negligence?

    • +1

      They want you to vote them out in March so they can start getting pensions from you.

  • +1

    hmmmm get hacked again or deal with a disgruntled NSW bureaucrat???

  • +1
    • -3

      I love the title,

      "Optus advises customers to change their password, name, date of birth, gender … after data breach"

      Now these muppets forcing us to change our name, DOB, and gender ???

      LOL how about Optus handover all of its operations to an Australian company? under ASX first ?

      • +2

        erm…. that's satire…

      • Easy !… use your partner's or your kids detail, done ~~

      • Do you not get a joke?

    • +2

      … and don't you forget changing those "pronouns" too. 😋

      • +2

        time to put non-binary on my DL!!!

  • +1

    May be if you didn't have Glads in Optus NSW you guys in NSW might have been lucky to not be asking for compensation for reimbursement from Optus.

  • +8

    So the hackers have my name, driving licence number, expiry date, my DOB and my address.
    But they do not have my card number.
    Phew, thank heavens I'm safe.

    • +5

      Your banking details also safe because luckily no financial info was part of the hack /s

      • +5

        Your medicare details might have also leaked too. Rest assured however, no one can get access to your medical records with only your medicare details. They would need to know things like your address and your licence details as well thankfully and no company would be stupid enough to keep all customers document details accessible in the same APIs and let them all be exposed at once! Phew

        Most medical centres will make you provide a secondary form of identification like your drivers licence details to be able to request a transfer of records, so you are secure!

      • +2

        How do we know if Optus is telling the truth about no ID docs is obtained by the hacker too?

        • +3

          optus about our ID before breach: "trust us"
          optus about our ID after breach: "trust us"

  • +1

    Impossible to claim.

    • That's on Optus though. Still a good PSA imo

  • +1

    Ring Optus on 133937, there will be a recorded message saying Optus will notify impacted users who needs to replace licenses in the coming days.

  • ONLY change the card number is useless

    • +3

      Changing gender, name, dob the safest option

  • +2

    This is not a bargain

    • Why upvote then

      • +1

        Big fingers hit the wrong button

  • +3

    this should be marked [targeted] because sure as hell not all optus customers in nsw can do this, because they believe that subset of compromised data is traceable from their logs, otherwise why are they keeping customers waiting for that email?

    i get iphone 14 launch emails way faster and way more times than this.

  • +1

    Just got the email that’s specific to the drivers licence. It says the $29 fee will be deducted automatically on my next bill and a code is also in the email for equifax.

  • +1

    I am still trying to wrap my head around what is even the point of replacing this in NSW? The license number remains the same. Only the card number changes which wasn't even part of the breach?

    • +1

      The theory is that some ppl had card number included in the hack

    • You are able to change your licence number in NSW, it's a PITA though; need to phone the Police Assistance Line, report your identity as being compromised (eg let them know Optus hack details etc), explain your details were exposed.

      Then you need to fill out this form:
      https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-09/45065767-…

      Print it off, sign it, take it to service nsw and verify your identity (excluding Transport for NSW issued photo cards) for the 2nd id.
      Then they decide if you qualify and you have to return to process it again if approved. You can elect to have to do that in person (tick box on form to disable your old details for anything not in person).

      • +4

        i think there are reports of some people doing that but still getting rejected anyway.

        it's a circus act at the moment.

        • Yeah, they're not processing these forms even with a police report.

          Service NSW has also changed their website so that customers aren't referred to this form, but the form that only replaces the card number.

        • Yeah - I was rejected.
          Actually they took the form from me but obviously didn't process it. I rang Services NSW a few days later to check on it. Must have chucked it away?
          I would go to our new MP, but she's the silent and invisible woman.

      • Is 131 444 for the Police Assistance Line?

  • Just received email directly from Optus stating that fee will not be reimbursed; instead providing Equifax protection, and $29 credit on next bill.

  • +2

    This 'offer' from Service NSW is the same Service NSW which was hacked itself and took 2 years to notify users.

    BTW, who have they just signed a 3 year communications deal with?

    Yes…

  • Not a bargain. It’s a hassle

  • +3

    Of all states, NSW has the worst solution. basically they offer nothing more than their standard procedures to help out the customers. all they are saying is too bad just follow the standard process and go ask Optus for money. it is not the state governments problem. and they not even reissue a new licence number, which was stolen.

    • +1

      IMO it's even worse than that as NSW had a process for changing your license number prior to the breach, but Service NSW has been pushing people away from taking that avenue. The form for changing your license number which is available here says:

      "If you have reasonable grounds to believe that your NSW driver licence number or your Transport for NSW customer number has been misused by someone else or is at risk of being misused by someone else (e.g. via a data breach) you may apply for a new number using
      this Application Form"

      However, people coming with this form are being turned away and/or given the license replacement form (link) presumably as it's easier to process for Service NSW / Transport.

    • What do you expect from our shtty Gov't?

  • +2

    What sort of nonsense is this. If you’re with Optus they should be paying immediately for this and not making you fight for a reimbursement, or arguing with incompetent Optus staff about if you’re lucky they didn’t compromise your details. Negging deal because this is no deal. Optus customers, time to walk.

    • +1

      I agree but the staff are just reading the scripts so dont take it too much out on them. Just walk. Not much else you can do unless you want to fight it out. Optus should just cave even if they have to fold because of it. I havent even been a customer for years but somehow I have been told that I am part of the population with my details leaked. Why the hell do they still hold my details after more than 10 years
      !!!!

  • FYI in NSW the licence number doesn't change but the card number changes when you get a replacement. I personally don't think a new card number adds any value because no one has asked for my licence card number when applying for accounts / cards. I could be wrong though.

    • New standards were released this month that require both the license and card number to verify a person's identity (link).

      So the argument goes that the leaked license numbers are now of no value without the card number - which I understand hasn't been leaked for many customers. This is presumably why Service NSW isn't processing license number changes.

      • Well what do you. All hail Victor Dominello and his team. Can't believe they fixed a long standing problem.

        Can confirm some banks like NAB already requesting card number and expiry now to open an account.

        https://ibb.co/BTdHvQY

  • Is the email I received on the 24th from Optus saying the below the one I need to use as proof? Or do I need to wait for another email even though they have already confirmed this data was exposed?


    Importantly, no financial information or passwords have been accessed. The information which has been exposed is your name, date of birth, email, phone number, address associated with your former account, and the numbers of the ID documents you provided such as drivers licence number or passport number. No copies of photo IDs have been affected.

    Thanks!

  • +1

    would be great to replace the card and licence number, even though the new process took effect on 1/9/22.

    • +1

      Yeah, I'd like to be able to do that too as I figure it further reduces the value of the leaked data, but Service NSW and Dominello don't seem to get this / don't seem interested in allowing people to do this. 🤷‍♂️

  • +1

    The Optus rep I called on the phone asked me to go to the store. The one in the store had no remorse whatsoever and even said that they are not unique in having a massive breach like this. What a lousy twat!

    I had an Optus prepaid number for a month a few years ago while I was churning. The rep said that they don't store driving license numbers or details for prepaid services; though I'm not sure how much I can believe them?

  • +3

    Received another sms from OPTUS:
    Cyberattack update: Confirming only the licence number on your Driver Licence was exposed, not the card number. Your State or Territory government will provide advice on any action that you may need to take via their website.

  • +1

    Spoke to some clown via chat last night who advised I would get reimbursed by cheque. Back on chat this morning and said I didn't want a cheque as I was not wasting any more of my time banking a bloody cheque, I wanted a credit. Because of their slow response time to chat messages I subsequently checked and have now been advised that a credit will be forthcoming. My latest request is a subscription to Equifax. Still waiting for a reply.

    I am inclined to write to their Privacy Officer and request compensation for my time in trying to rectify their F*** up.

  • Anyone got driver license replaced and reimbursed by Optus?

    • As far as I understand, they're following the advice of the NSW government/Service NSW and only reimbursing for the 16K people that had both their license and card number released as part of the breach. Meaning a minority of people impacted by the breach are now eligible.

      Seems to have been Optus' lucky day 🙄

      • +1

        Yeah, but just wondering what is the process? Like we need to have a confirmation from Optus then rushing to gov agencies to reissue our license and go back to Optus to ask for money? I mean there should be a process somewhere? Very disappointed crisis management from Optus.

        • I closed my last account with them the other day and they said it would be automatically added to customer accounts as credit. So, if you've received the text saying you're eligible and are still a customer I think it should appear on your next bill (?).

          If you're not a customer, I have no idea. Wouldn't be surprised if they give out Optus vouchers or something given how unaccountable they've been so far👌

  • Received another sms from OPTUS today:
    Cyberattack follow up: Further to our communications on Sunday we wish to confirm that NSW uses a national Document Verification Service (DVS) that means both your driver licence number and card number are required to verify your identity. Therefore, NSW Gov advises you do not need to replace your Driver Licence. Visit Optus website for details.

    • +1

      So basically we NSW-ers cant / dont need to replace our Licence, even if impacted?

      • +2

        TL;DR - Service NSW: you are on your own mate.

        • +1

          TBH a bit surprise of NSW for the response over the driver licence. That puts us, tax payers at risk. And Optus is not even Aussie company :(

          • +3

            @Dealor: i'm not even mad at optus being a non-au company.

            i'm mad at service nsw calling us taxpayers 'customers', and went on to deny service to their 'customers'… what hypocrisy.

            they failed at being a government body servicing tax payers, they are also failing at pretending to be a business servicing customers.

            • +3

              @slowmo: So true! Seems like only NSW charge us for replacement, other states are not. What a mess

    • +1

      I wonder if there is still a way to get Driver Licence number replaced in NSW?
      I agree to pay the fee.

      • +2

        I'd love to know this too. From all reports, I don't think they're allowing it.

        Dominello has been more or less ignored questions about how they're intending to deal with the heightened risk this exposes affected individuals to link. Presumably this is because replacing everybody's license is administratively difficult and they've just decided relying solely on the customer number for security is 'good enough'.

        Totally a broken record here, but everyone that has tried to use existing processes to change their license have also been turned away. ie this form, which says:
        "If you have reasonable grounds to believe that your NSW driver licence number…has been misused by someone else or is at risk of being misused by someone else (e.g. via a data breach) you may apply for a new number…"

      • +4

        You need to show them proof that fraud has taken place before they will consider changing your licence number which is a shit way of thinking.

        If fraud takes place and you have the chance to prevent it from happening, they should allow us to take action. They keep saying this new 2 ID system that started September 1st will prevent fraud, but I know most of the people would prefer to get fresh whole licence.

        If you lose your wallet, you do not go home and say I will wait for someone to return my wallet to me, first thing you do is call all the cards you had in there to cancel them not wait for them to all be used first.

        • Exactly right 👌

  • +1

    looks like we need participate in class law suite, the only way Optus will learn is made compensate everyone affected

    • +1

      To be fair, it's the NSW Government's policy that has allowed them to only reimburse a minority of license holders.

      Good money saver for Optus in the order of $14 million too:
      $29 per replacement x 484K people that no longer receive reimbursement for licenses being leaked (500K people in NSW with license leaked - 16K people approved to have license replaced).

      Also, Slater and Gordon are asking for EOIs for a class action here

      • +3

        OPTUS DESERVES IT AND A LOT more.

        THEY dont even consider giving a SINGLE CUSTOMER IMPACTED ANY COMPENSATION OF themselves, so essentially lawsuit is only way any customer can recover any money.

        TO BE HONEST EVEN IF I dont receive any money, But optus had to suffer because of me from the lawsuits (as a result of them causing me so much trouble) IS BETTER THAN OPTUS NOT having to pay anything.

        I also dont think australian government should worry about there being dupoly of vodafone and telstra, they should make sure optus goes bankrupt.

      • +2

        i wonder if there should be another case against government bodies that is not performing their "duty of care" when it comes to addressing identity theft.

        • I honestly don't know whether there are legal or other formal avenues to hold the relevant departments to accounts (Transport/Customer Service (?)).

          If someone is aware of practical avenues, I'd love to know. I've been writing to MPs etc, but a lot of people seem to believe Dominello's story about the DVS making changing license no. unnecessary 🙄 .

          With approx 500K people affected in NSW and an upcoming election I hope people remember the govts unwillingness to respond / hold Optus accountable.

  • I have contacted Optus multiple times, they never give solid answers whether or not my cost will be reimbursed.

    • This, take me 6 live chat, 2 store visits and a phone call and still cant cancel optus sport. Can you believe that

    • +1

      I suspect that's because they're going to try and get away with doing as little as possible. Have already avoided having to pay for licence replacements for the approx 500K people in NSW.

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