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What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identity information without your knowledge or consent to commit a crime, such as fraud or theft.

Criminals may use your name, birth certificate, credit card number, Social Insurance Number and other personal information to open credit card and financial accounts, redirect mail, establish cellular phone service, rent vehicles, equipment, or accommodation, and even secure employment.

If someone has used your identity, you could be left with bills, charges and damage to your credit rating, unless you take steps to stop the identity theft and repair the damage.

What are the signs that I may be a victim of identity theft?

Signs like these might indicate that you've been a victim of identity theft:

• Your credit card statement or bank statement does not arrive in the mail as expected.
• Your bank or credit card statement has transactions on it that you did not authorize.
• Your mail stops arriving altogether.
• Bills arrive for cards or accounts that you did not apply for.
• You get a call from a collection agency for a debt you did not incur.
• You are denied credit, for reasons that do not match your understanding of your financial position.
• You order your credit report and find accounts or debts listed that do not belong to you.

What should I do if I am a victim of identity theft?

The immediate steps you should take are:

• Contact each financial institution, credit card issuer or other company that provided the identity thief with unauthorized credit, money, goods or services. Tell them what happened, and ask them to cancel and re-issue any cards that were affected, and close any fraudulent accounts. Also find out:
  • Does the company require written documentation to begin investigating your claim of identity theft?
  • Do they accept the Identity Theft Statement?
  • Do they require any additional information?
• Contact each of Canada's national credit reporting agencies, Trans Union Canada and Equifax Canada. Ask each agency to send you a copy of your credit report, and discuss with them whether you should have a fraud alert placed on your file. The credit report may reveal whether there are other companies where the identity thief has opened accounts or incurred debt in your name.

  You can call Equifax Canada at 1-866-779-6440, and Trans Union Canada at 1-877-525-3823 (Quebec Residents: 1-877-713-3393), toll free or visit their Web sites at www.equifax.ca and www.tuc.ca You may also wish to call the Northern Credit Bureau at 1-800-532-8784 or visit their Web site at www.creditbureau.ca

• Report the incident to your local police department. Ask the police to take a report, if possible, and to give you the report number. If the police report is available, include it in all correspondence with financial institutions, credit issuers, other companies and credit reporting agencies.
• Report the incident to PhoneBusters National Call Centre, which has a mandate to gather information and intelligence about identity theft, and will provide advice and assistance to identity theft victims. You can call PhoneBusters toll free at 1-888-495-8501.
• If your government-issued documents were lost or stolen, report them to the responsible ministry or department and order new documents.

What is the Identity Theft Statement?

• The Identity Theft Statement is a form that you can use to notify financial institutions, credit card issuers and other companies that you have been a victim of identity theft, and give them the information they need to begin an investigation of the incident.
• The Identity Theft Statement enables you to provide written notice of the incident, how you became aware of it, and how it happened. You may not know the answers to all these questions, but you should provide as much information as you can.
• There are two parts to the Identity Theft Statement. Part One asks you for general information about the identity theft. Part Two asks for specific information about accounts with a particular financial institution, credit card issuer or other company.

Why should I use the Identity Theft Statement?

• In order to investigate an incident and correct their records, companies (financial institutions, credit card issuers and other companies) often need to receive information from the victim. You may be able to provide the necessary information over the phone, but in some cases the company will require written documentation.
• Many companies will accept the Identity Theft Statement to provide them with the information they need to begin an investigation. Instead of having to obtain each company's unique form, and fill it out separately, you can complete one form and send a copy to each company. This can save you time and help streamline the process of putting a stop to the fraud and clearing your name.

How do I complete the Identity Theft Statement?

• After you have made all the important phone calls, complete the Identity Theft Statement (and any other required documentation) as soon as you can after becoming aware of the incident. By providing it to the affected credit card issuers, financial institutions and other companies quickly, you allow an investigation to begin sooner and prevent further damage.
• Although you may not know all the details about how the incident occurred, provide as much information as you can. This will help the company carry out their investigation and resolve your claim.
• Part One: Identity Theft Statement: This part asks for general information about you and the identity theft.
• Part Two: Statement of Unauthorized Account Activity: This part asks you for specific information about accounts and activities. Complete this section specifically for each company you're notifying, and send each company only the information that relates to accounts or activities with that company.
• Once you have completed and signed the Statement, attach copies (not originals) of any supporting documents you have (for example, transaction records, receipts, a police report). Keep a copy of everything that you are submitting, for your records.
• Provide a copy of the completed Identity Theft Statement and attached documents to each company that provided the identity thief with unauthorized credit, money, goods or services.

Do all companies accept the Identity Theft Statement?

• Many major financial institutions, credit card issuers and other companies in Canada accept the Identity Theft Statement; however, some companies may still require that their own forms be used. Contact the company before sending them the Identity Theft Statement, to find out what is required.

Do all companies require that I send them the Identity Theft Statement?

• Depending on the company and on the circumstances, you may need to send in written documentation, or you may be able to provide the necessary information over the phone. Contact the company first to find out what is required, before sending them the Identity Theft Statement.

How will companies use the Identity Theft Statement?

• Financial institutions, credit card issuers and other companies that accept the Identity Theft Statement will use the information in the form to begin an investigation into the incident. They may ask you for additional information to help them with the investigation. Through their investigation, the company will determine whether or not to absolve you of the charges or debt.
• Completing the Identity Theft Statement does not guarantee that the identity thief will be prosecuted or that the debt or charges will be cleared.

How will I know that my personal information is safe when I submit the Identity Theft Statement?

• Companies that receive the Identity Theft Statement must ensure that the personal information you provide is safeguarded and is only used for the purposes of investigating the incident described in the Statement, prosecuting the person(s) responsible and preventing further fraud or theft. The companies may disclose the information to law enforcement institutions or agencies only for these purposes. The information may not be used or disclosed for any other purpose except as authorized by law.
• You may wish to take precautions when you submit the Identity Theft Statement. For example, if the company has a branch or office in your community, you may want to deliver the Identity Theft Statement personally. Alternatively, you should send it by courier or registered mail.
• You should keep a copy of all documentation that you provide, and store it in a secure place.

I've taken all the recommended steps. What can I expect now?

• By quickly taking the steps described here, you can help prevent the impostor from doing any further harm, and start the process of clearing your name. Unfortunately, this process can require time and effort from you: writing letters, making phone calls, and providing documentation and other information. In addition, the problem may not be resolved right away.
• The following measures can help ensure that the identity theft is resolved and does not recur:
  • Keep a log of all your phone calls - write down the name of anyone you talked to, what he or she told you, and the date your conversation occurred.
  • In complex cases, you may want to follow up in writing with contacts you've made on the phone or in person.
  • Keep the originals of supporting documentation, like police reports, and letters to and from companies; send copies only.
  • Keep old files even if you believe the case has been resolved. Errors can reappear on your credit reports or your information can be re-circulated. Should this happen, you'll be glad you kept your files.

What should I do if my government-issued documents are lost or stolen?

• Documents that contain important personal information, such as your driver's license, birth certificate, social insurance card, passport, or citizenship and immigration documents, can be resources for identity thieves. If one of these documents is lost or stolen, notify the issuing authority right away so the document can be cancelled and a new one issued.

Should I send the Identity Theft Statement to a government office?

• Financial institutions, credit card issuers and other companies accept and use the Identity Theft Statement.
• The Identity Theft Statement is not a government form, and should not be sent to a government ministry or department.

Where can I get a copy of the Identity Theft Statement?

• You can download a copy of the Identity Theft Statement from this site, or from any of the companies that accept it.