Latitude data breach: what to do if your information has been exposed

Latitude Financial Services is the latest company to have been hacked, with 7.9 million driver’s licenses from Australia and New Zealand having been exposed.

The company says about 3.2 million of those licenses were issued in the last 10 years, with an additional 53,000 passport numbers also stolen.

Latitude Financial is the largest non-bank consumer credit lender in Australia, and was formerly known as GE Capital, one of the leading providers of wholesale financing for car dealers across the country until 2008. when the global financial crisis hit.

Latitude also offers buy now pay later services for major retailers including Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi.

While Latitude says an estimated 14 million records dating back to at least 2005, including customer names, addresses, phone numbers and dates of birth, were stolen, it’s unclear at this point how many Australians have been exposed in the breach data.

The cyberattack was first reported a fortnight ago, but the full extent of the attack is only now known.

Latitude is writing to all current and former customers who have had their information removed, as well as applicants whose personal information has also been compromised.

“We recognize that today’s announcement will be a distressing event for many of our customers and we apologize unreservedly,” the company said in a press release.

If you are affected by the Latitude data breach, you can learn more about how to respond below.

Transport NSW has advised that only those whose driver’s license number and card number have been stolen will need to apply for a new licence.

This is due to increased security measures introduced in the state in September 2022, which require a driver’s license number and card number to be presented to pass a Document Verification Service check, identity check used by banks and other authorized organizations.

Latitude Financial will contact those who had both numbers compromised in the hack.

A replacement driver’s license can be applied for online by by clicking here, or by visiting a NSW Service Centre.

Applying for a new license carries an initial fee of $29, however Latitude Financial says it will reimburse costs to replace an identification document.

While the Victorian government was proactive during the Optus data breach in September 2022, VicRoads says it is currently working to understand the scope of the Latitude data breach.

Victorian drivers who believe their driver’s license has been compromised in the hack can apply for a replacement online by by clicking here, or by calling VicRoads at 13 11 71 or by visiting a VicRoads Customer Service Center found here.

Applying for a new license carries an initial fee of $25.40, however Latitude Financial says it will reimburse the costs of replacing an identification document.

Queensland Transport says it is aware of the Latitude Financial Service data breach and encourages those who have been contacted by Latitude to arrange for a replacement driver’s license.

Queensland Transport charges $82.10 for a replacement driver’s license with the same expiration as before, however Latitude Financial says it will reimburse costs for replacing an ID document.

The South Australian government has announced that it will waive the replacement fee for those affected by the Latitude Financial Services data breach.

Persons contacted by Latitude will need to have a replacement driver’s license issued by visiting an SA Service Center, which can be found at by clicking here.

While a new card is manufactured and shipped, the license with your unique card identification number will be available digitally through mySAGOV online accounts and through the mSAGOV smartphone app.

Like those in NSW, ACT residents do not need to act unless Latitude Financial reports that both the driver’s license number and unique card number have been compromised in the cyberattack.

Canberrans who have had both their license number and unique card number stolen can apply for a replacement online by by clicking here, by calling 13 22 81 or visiting an Access Canberra service center located in Woden, Belconnen, Gungahlin and Tuggeranong.

Access Canberra charges $42.60 for a driver’s license replacement, however Latitude Financial says it will reimburse costs for replacing an ID document.

Licenses in Western Australia also come with two numbers from September 2022: the driver’s license number and the unique card number, which are required for those using identification services.

The Western Australia Department of Transport says that only those contacted by Latitude Financial Services should apply for a replacement driver’s license.

A new card can be ordered online by by clicking here, visiting a DVS center, or visiting a regional Department of Transportation office or agent.

Applying for a new license carries an initial fee of $30.90, however Latitude Financial says it will reimburse the costs of replacing an identification document.

The Tasmanian government has waived the $29 fee for those who need a replacement driver’s license due to the Latitude Financial Services data breach.

People contacted by Latitude can apply for a new driver’s license by visiting a Tasmanian Service Centre, found by by clicking here.

While the NT government does not appear to have made a statement regarding the Latitude Financial Services data breach, it is understood that both a driver’s license number and a unique card number are found on a driver’s license, reducing the risk to motorists.

Only those who had both numbers stolen in the hack and who have been contacted by Latitude will require a replacement.

A replacement driver’s license can be applied for in person at an Australian Post Office or MVR, which is located by by clicking here – or by calling 1300 654 628.

Applying for a new license carries an initial fee of $22, however Latitude Financial says it will reimburse the costs of replacing an identification document.