17 June 2025

Suncorp Bank encourages customers to strengthen their personal privacy this Privacy Awareness Week

10 min read

Recent studies have revealed that Australian identities are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, with 1 in 3 Australians experiencing identity crime, such as identity theft, financial fraud, money laundering, in their lifetime (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2023).

On the dark web marketplace, counterfeit Australia driver’s licences are among the most frequently traded identity documents (University of Technology Sydney, 2023, The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, 2025). However, the everyday web also poses a heightened risk with the most misused personal details for Australians being names, credit card numbers, and email addresses (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2023).

These findings articulate just how common, and personal, identity crime really is, and for Suncorp Bank Privacy Officer, Anita Siassios, it underscores that protecting personal information is no longer optional, it is essential.

“It’s easy to assume that identity crime is something that happens to other people. But these increasing statistics coupled with the growing sophistication of cybercriminals shows it’s affecting our friends, families, colleagues... and even ourselves,” said Anita.

This week, from 16 - 22 June, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) holds Privacy Awareness Week, a week raising awareness of privacy issues and the importance of protecting personal information. 

For Anita, Privacy Awareness Week is an opportunity to continue raising awareness for and reinforcing Suncorp Bank’s ongoing commitment to protecting customers’ personal information.

“Privacy Awareness Week allows us to pause, ask better questions, and explore what privacy looks like in real-world decisions,” Anita said. 

“The effects of privacy breaches can be far-reaching and long-term. That is why we strive to remain mindful of how our decisions, big or small, affect people’s dignity, livelihoods, and trust.” 

With over 35 years of experience in financial services, Anita believes that protecting personal information is more than a professional responsibility, it’s a personal commitment.

“My role at Suncorp Bank is to lead the Bank’s strategic and cultural approach to privacy, ensuring we meet current and evolving obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) while embedding a Privacy By Design mindset. That means proactively considering privacy from the outset of every project, process, and system.” 

“It’s about showing our customers and staff that we see them as people, not just data points. Commonly, customers don’t separate personal privacy from their service experience. That expectation is an ongoing responsibility all organisations should share and aim to meet,”  said Anita.

This year’s Privacy Awareness Week theme is ‘Privacy- It’s Everyone’s Business’ and Anita shares practical steps that individuals can take to better understand and strengthen their personal privacy.

“It’s easy to overlook how much of our personal information is visible or accessible, often without us realising. That’s why it’s so important to pause, review our settings, and make choices that align with our privacy values.”

“I make intentional choices every day to understand my risks and minimise the amount of my personal information available online. There are many simple tools* you can use to understand what parts of your personal information are available in the public forum. You don’t need to be tech-savvy — these tools are free, accessible, and easy to use,” said Anita.

Anita’s passion for protecting personal information translates to every corner of her life, finding ways to uplift privacy education for vulnerable community groups and participate in voluntary networks to strengthen cyber security in Australia.

“I am dedicated to personal growth and contributing to society, all while staying connected to my purpose. It’s how I learn and give back beyond the boundaries of my role at work,” said Anita. 

“There are a few communities close to my heart which allow me to mentor others, advocate for inclusive leadership and help shape the future of the profession. You can find me volunteering for the ANZ Retired Officers Club, providing education to older Australians about online privacy, scams, and digital safety. I also dedicate my time as a Board Member for Women Leading Privacy advisory group at the International Association of Privacy Professionals and am the President of Women at Cyber Security Australia.”

If you provide person information as a consumer or handle personal information as part of your profession, Anita’s advice is simple.

“Every piece of information you share, or handle, represents a piece of a person’s story. Privacy isn’t just a legal requirement for organisations — it’s one of the most important ways we can protect each other from harm,” Anita says.

“When we collectively handle personal privacy with intention and care, we make scams and fraud harder to pull off. That’s why privacy has to be everyone’s business — not just during this week, but every day.”