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Identity theft has become an increasingly popular crime in Canada as
a result of recent advances in technology. Identity theft involves stealing, misrepresenting or hijacking the identity of another person or business and provides an effective
means to commit other crimes.
Vital information such as name, address, date of birth, social insurance
number, and mother’s maiden name need to be acquired in order to
complete the impersonation. The identity thief can take over the victim’s
financial accounts, open new bank accounts, transfer bank balances, apply
for loans, credit cards and other services, purchase vehicles, take luxury
vacations, and so on.
Tips
Review and remember the following points to avoid becoming an easy target:
- sign all credit cards when you receive them
- never loan your credit cards to anyone
- cancel credit cards you do not use and keep a list of the ones you
use regularly
- immediately report lost or stolen credit cards and any discrepancies
in your monthly statements to the issuing credit card company
- never leave receipts at bank machines, bank wickets, in trashcans,
or at unattended gasoline pumps; ensure you destroy paperwork you no
longer need
- never provide personal information such as SIN, date of birth, credit
card numbers, or PIN over the telephone unless you initiate the call
- promptly remove mail from your ‘secure’ mailbox after
delivery and do not leave pieces of mail lying around your residence
or work site
- shred or otherwise destroy pre-approved credit card applications,
credit card receipts, bills and related information when no longer needed
- avoid keeping a written record of your bank PIN number(s), social
insurance number and computer passwords, and never keep this information
in your wallet or hand bag
- avoid mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions or surveys
offering instant prizes or awards designed for the purpose of obtaining
your personal details including credit card numbers
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