IDENTITY THEFT

Identity Theft: Don’t become a victim

Every year, thousands of people are victims of identity theft.

While recent developments in telecommunications and computer processing make it easier for companies and consumers to reach each other, they can also scatter your personal information more widely, making life easier for criminals.

Identity theft is the unauthorized collection and use of your personal information, usually for criminal purposes.
Your name, date of birth, address, credit card, Social Insurance Number (SIN) and other personal identification numbers can be used to open credit card and bank accounts, redirect mail, establish cellular phone service, rent vehicles, equipment, or accommodation, and even secure employment.

If this happens, you could be left with the bills, charges, bad cheques, and taxes.

How to fight identity theft

• Minimize the risk. Be careful about sharing personal information or letting it circulate freely.
• When you are asked to provide personal information, ask how it will be used, why it is needed, who will be sharing it and how it will be safeguarded.
• Be particularly careful about your Social Insurance Number , it is an important key to your identity, especially in credit reports and computer databases.
• Don't give your credit card number on the telephone, by electronic mail, or to a voice mailbox, unless you know the person with whom you're communicating or you initiated the communication yourself, and you know that the communication channel is secure.
• Pay attention to your billing cycle. If credit card or utility bills fail to arrive, contact the companies to ensure that they have not been illicitly redirected.
• Notify creditors immediately if your identification or credit cards are lost or stolen.
• Choose difficult passwords – not your mother's maiden name. Memorize them, change them often. Don't write them down or leave them in your wallet, or some equally obvious place.
• Key in personal identification numbers privately when you use direct purchase terminals, or bank machines.
• Shred personal , and financial information , such as statements , and credit card offers , before placing them into the garbage

Are you a victim of identity theft?

• Report the crime to police immediately.
• Cancel your credit cards and get new ones issued. Ask the creditors about accounts tampered with or opened fraudulently in your name.
• Have your credit report documented to reflect the identity theft. Do a follow-up check three months after to ensure that someone has not tried to use your identity again.
• Close your bank accounts and open new ones. Insist on password-only access to them.
• Get new bank machine and telephone calling cards, with new passwords or personal identification numbers.