Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge or consent to commit a crime, such as fraud or theft.
Identity thieves steal key pieces of personal information — either physically or in other ways, without your knowledge — 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;
- driver's licence numbers;
- credit card and banking information;
- bank cards;
- calling cards;
- birth certificates;
- passports.
Identity thieves can manipulate your information 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.
How can an identity thief get my personal information?
Identity thieves may get your personal information by:
- removing mail from your mailbox or fraudulently redirecting your mail;
- stealing personal and private information from wallets, purses, mail, your home, vehicle, computer, and websites you've visited or e-mails you've sent;
- retrieving personal information in your garbage or recycling bin by "dumpster diving";
- posing as a creditor, landlord or employer to get a copy of your credit report or access to your personal information from other confidential sources;
- tampering with automated banking machines (ABMs) and point of sale terminals, enabling thieves to read your debit or credit card number and Personal Identification Number (PIN);
- searching public sources, such as newspapers (obituaries), telephone books, and records open to the public (professional certifications);
- buying the information from a dishonest employee working where personal and/or financial information is stored.
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