Latitude Financial Services data breach

Latitude Financial Services (also trading as GEM Finance in New Zealand), an Australian finance company, has recently advised customers of a cyberattack which may have resulted in unauthorised access to current and former customers’ information held by the company.

How do I know if I have been impacted by the data breach?

Latitude is working to contact affected customers about the data breach. This includes New Zealand passport holders who provided their New Zealand passport as part of setting up their accounts with Latitude Financial Services.

If you are not contacted by Latitude, you have not been impacted by the breach.

What passport details could have been exposed?

Some people had their New Zealand passport details compromised.

A copy of your passport personal information (bio-data) page may have been exposed.

Latitude will advise you if your New Zealand passport details were compromised.

Do I need to replace my passport if I have been impacted?

No, you don't have to.

If you have renewed your passport since signing up with Latitude, you do not need to do anything.

If you have not renewed your passport, there is no need to replace your passport if it is still valid.

Can I use my passport to travel?

Yes, your passport is safe to use for international travel. Your passport remains valid for travel unless it has expired or it has been renewed.

Could someone else get a passport in my identity?

No. We use robust controls that protect your passport from identity takeover, including sophisticated facial recognition technology.

Could someone use my passport details to travel in my identity?

No. They would need your actual passport, not just your passport details.

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you must let the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Passport Office know as soon as possible so we can cancel your passport and protect you from any misuse.

Further information about lost and stolen passports is available here: 

Lost, stolen or damaged passport 

Is it still safe to use my passport as proof of identity?

Impacted Latitude customers may be concerned their passport details could be misused to commit identity fraud.

You have the option to ask DIA to apply a block in the Australia Document Verification Service (DVS) system on your behalf. This block will mean that your passport number cannot be used for digital verification in Australia, but you can still use your passport to verify your identity in person as required, such as for the purposes of taking out a loan, or a phone plan.

Please note that the DVS can only verify your passport if you are in Australia at the time of verification. If you are outside Australia the DVS block is unnecessary.

If you want DIA to apply a block in DVS, email us at: passportsafe@dia.govt.nz.

Let us know your current passport number, name and contact phone number, including area and country codes – we’ll call from New Zealand. Put 'Latitude Financial Services' in the subject line.

Is my passport still valid if I replace it?

If you choose to replace your passport, the previous one will be cancelled once we receive your application.

Note that a cancelled passport cannot be used for travel or identification purposes.

You will need to wait until a replacement passport has been issued.

Information about passport timeframes is available here:

Passport timeframes 

What happens if I replace my New Zealand passport while I am overseas?

We understand that you may be worried that you could be stranded without any valid ID overseas. If you have upcoming international travel planned, we recommend that you travel on your current passport. 

If you would like to replace your passport, contact the DIA Passport Office to discuss your upcoming travel plans before cancelling your passport.