Identity Theft 

Identity Theft is serious.  It occurs when someone steals your personal informaitn ot commit a crime.  There are ways to minimize the risk of having your identity stolen.

Signs of ID Theft

  • purchases not made by you appear on your monthly bills
  • bills arrive on accounts you don't own
  • collection agency calls about unknown debt
  • credit card/bank statements don't arrive
  • your credit report shows mystery debts

What to do

  • call financial institutions and local police
  • put a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting Equifax at 1-800-465-7166 and TransUnion at 1-877-525-3823
  • to replace your ID cards like health, driver's licence, SIN call 1-800-0-CANADA
  • contact Canada Post if your mail is missing
  • keep records of steps taken to clear you rname and re-establish your credt
  • help stop fraud - contact PhoneBusters at 1-888-495-8501 or phonebusters.com

Guard your personal information

  • never give personal informaiton by phone, internet or mail unless you initiate the contact
  • be careful about sharing personal information and don't give out more than you need to
  • shield your PIN and never lend cards
  • report missing credit and debit cards
  • carry only the ID you need
  • put other ID documents in a safe place (birth certificate, SIN card, Passport
  • shred document with persnal informatoin
  • do not carry your SIN card - it is only for employment and tax reporting
  • ask about the security of your information at work, with businesses and charities

Guard your computer and its information

  • select a complex password of letters, numbers and symbols
  • install firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware and security software and update these often
  • don't try, don't buy and don't reply to spam or emails that ask for banking information
  • for online transactions. look for https://, a closed lock or an unbroken key icon
  • when disposing of hard drives, use overwrite software or destroy the drive.

For more information on Identity Theft visit: www.consumerinformation.ca

Identity Theft.

Recognize it.

Report it.

Stop it.