Optus data breach: VicRoads to issue free licences to motorists impacted by telco giant hacking

Nearly one million motorists whose personal information was compromised during Optus’ cybersecurity breach will receive new licenses free of charge to protect them from further identity theft.

VicRoads has announced that 942,000 redesigned licenses will be issued to those affected by the telecom giant’s recent data hack.

The new cards include a second number designed to provide an extra layer of protection, similar to the security numbers on the back of a credit card.

License numbers on the new cards remain the same.

Vic Roads has already started emailing affected motorists.

By the end of the year, these customers will use both their license number and card number to prove their identity for services such as bank account opening, loan applications, telephone contracts and real estate transactions.

VicRoads has already flagged the records of more than 462,000 people who registered their details online as possible victims of the Optus data hack.

About 342,000 of those confirmed to be directly affected by Optus’ cybersecurity breach.

VicRoads estimates that approximately 942,000 motorists were affected. Pictured are motorists on the West Gate Freeway in Melbourne

“Optus’ data breach is the largest in Australia’s history and Victorian licensees have been affected more than any other state,” a spokesperson said.

“We are accelerating security for licensees in response to the Optus data breach by introducing two-step verification and free replacement of nearly 1 million licenses.”

The two-step verification process requires both the new card number and the original license number for identity confirmation when applying for bank accounts, loan applications, telephone contracts, and real estate transactions.

The new VicRoads licenses are designed to protect current and former Optus customers from further identity theft