Optus data breach prompts thousands of Department of Transport and Main Roads inquiries

Shocking new data has revealed thousands of people across Wide Bay and Gympie have been forced to change their drivers licence numbers. See which regions were impacted the worst.

Thousands of Wide Bay residents have been left in the lurch following the Optus data breach, according to new Department of Transport and Main Roads data.

A Department spokesman has revealed the number of applications for new drivers licence numbers in the wake of the hack.

“We are working hard to process customer reference number applications as quickly as possible in response to the Optus data breach,” he said.

Across Wide Bay the Fraser Coast region had the highest number of residents impacted by the breach, with 1,910 people applying for new numbers since 28 September, 2022.

In second place was Bundaberg, with a total of 1,461 applications for new customer reference numbers.

Gympie had 920 applications made.

The South Burnett region has seen 411 applications, and the North Burnett had 41.

The Optus data breach has caused a significant ‘traffic jam’ of applications for new drivers licence numbers across the Wide Bay. Picture: Lachie Millard.

Since news of the cyber attack broke, commenters took to Facebook to share how they had been affected.

“My husband hasn’t been with them for a while now and they got his details,” one Fraser Coast resident said.

“They were so nonchalant about it too like, ‘Don’t worry, they only got your full name, address and licence number.’”

“Just received an email stating my details were compromised from when I was a previous Optus customer,” another wrote.

“This is one way to get a whole country to shake in their boots!”

Many also reported scam emails, and some even argued Optus should pay compensation to victims of the attack.

One person who was affected was Maryborough’s Kirsty Dyball.

Ms Dyball said she was a former customer of Optus, and while she understands maintaining records, she was frustrated and shocked to learn her personal information had been compromised.

“I was furious,” she said.

“It’s made me angry that they don’t even give a hoot about it.”

Ms Dyball plans to apply for a new licence number, but due to working full time has not been able to yet.

She said knowing her data was compromised but not being able to do anything about it has been particularly stressful.

Nicole Strathdee was among the thousands affected by the Optus data breach.

Nicole Strathdee from Bundaberg was also impacted by the cyber attack.

She said the process to change her details was frustrating, but ultimately well-managed.

“It was all pretty quick, so I’d say they must have had heaps of people come through because they had it done to a fine art,” Ms Strathdee said.

“Yes the team was very organised and helped us very quickly (but) it was still a hassle.”

Optus has been approached for comment.