With almost half the adult population of Australia affected by the Optus security breach, questions are swirling about how stolen identity data can be misused.
Sharon Brownie says she's learned the hard way just how dangerous someone in possession of your personal information and ID documents can be.
She's one of a group of people who have come forward to RN Drive this week alleging their online government accounts have been compromised, with false tax returns and applications for early superannuation drawdowns lodged on their behalf.
Dr Brownie has spent four decades working as a nurse, public service executive and academic.
A dual Australian-New Zealand citizen, her tax affairs have been complicated by stints working across the ditch, in the middle-east, Africa and the Pacific, and the transaction of properties here and at home.
For more than 12 years she's relied on Melbourne accountant, Ercole Lanzon, to lodge her returns.
"I have confidence that a certified accountant is lodging things correctly, whereas I could make mistakes without actually realising, which could have big implications for my work", Dr Brownie said.
"It doesn't matter where in the world I am, I haven't changed [accountants in] Ercole — he keeps me safe".
Two weeks ago, she called him and they agreed to meet in October to reconcile last year's return.
Days later, Mr Lanzon received an email from the ATO regarding his client Dr Brownie, saying that her recent application for a determination for the...
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