You can minimize your risk of identity theft

Identity theft refers to all types of crime in which a person wrongfully uses someone else’s personal data (e.g., Social Insurance Number, credit card number, passport) to steal money or get some other benefits. It is one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada.

Here are examples of how it usually occurs:

• Theft of your ID cards, credit cards or personal documents
• Looking over your shoulder when you enter your PIN at the ATM
• Swiping your credit card through a skimmer which records personal information data
• Phishing which consists of e-mail messages and Web pages created by fraudsters to trick you into submitting personal information, financial data
• Theft from company or government databases

Did you know there are several things you can do to lower your risk of identity theft? Perhaps you know about these guidelines and already put them into practice:

• Sign credit cards as soon as you receive them, never lend them and destroy those you do not use
• Only carry credit cards and ID you actually need
• Contact your creditors and utility companies if your bills don’t arrive on time
• Check monthly statements and report discrepancies to the issuing company or financial institution
• Shred papers with personal information before disposing of them
• Do not give personal information over the phone, by mail or online unless you are the one who contacted the person or organization

Take matters into your own hands and ensure your protection today. If, however, you are a victim of identity theft, you should know what to do and act quickly. You should contact Canada’s main credit reporting agencies and your Desjardins caisse.

For all of the articles, visit the Did you know page.

Source: Public Safety Canada