![](/web/20061120232700im_/http://www.gov.mb.ca/finance/images/spacer.gif) |
Consumer and Corporate Affairs
A Division of Manitoba Finance
Consumers' Bureau
Tips for Reducing the Risk of Identity Theft
This tipsheet is intended to provide general information and is
not a substitute for legal advice.
Identity theft (ID theft) is on the increase. It’s one of the fastest
growing crimes in the marketplace. This tip sheet identifies key ways to
reduce your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.
What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information
without your knowledge or consent to commit a crime, such as fraud or
theft.
Why should you be concerned about identity theft?
Identity thieves steal key pieces of personal information and use it
to impersonate you and commit crimes in your name. In addition to names,
addresses and phone numbers, thieves look for social insurance numbers,
drivers licence numbers, credit card and banking information, bank
cards, calling cards, birth certificates and passports.
They may physically steal important documents, or they may find out
your personal information in other ways, without your knowledge.
Once they steal the information, identity thieves can manipulate it
and invade your personal and financial life. They can use stolen
identities to conduct spending sprees, open new bank accounts, divert
mail, apply for loans, credit cards, and social benefits, rent
apartments and even commit more serious crimes and, once arrested, they
use their new identity.
What are some of the signs your identity might have been stolen?
- Bills and statements don’t arrive when they are supposed to -
they may have been stolen from the mailbox or someone has changed the
mailing address.
- You receive calls from collection agencies or creditors for an
account you don’t have or that is up to date. Someone may have opened
a new account in your name, or added charges to an account without
your knowledge or permission.
- Financial account statements show withdrawals or transfers you
didn’t make.
- A creditor calls to say you’ve been approved or denied credit
that you haven’t applied for. Or, you get credit card statements for
accounts you don’t have.
- You apply for credit and are turned down, for reasons that do not
match your understanding of your financial position.
More >>>>
1 .
2 .
3 .
4
|