Identity Theft

Don’t let this stand between you and home ownership. Below are ways to protect yourself and tips on what to do if you become a victim.

How it happens

1. Lost/stolen wallet
2. Dumpster diving (pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, financial statements)
3. Phishing

Resources

Links to:
ID Theft Centre
Consumer measures committee
Consumer Information

1. Shred all financial documents and receipts that you intend to discard
2. Review your credit report annually – Equifax @ 1-800-465-7166 or equifax.ca and
   Trans Union @ 1-877-525-3823 or transunion.ca
3. Carry minimal personal information (i.e. do not write down PIN numbers or carry your SIN card, and carry cheque books, credit cards, etc. only when absolutely necessary)
4. Don’t leave mail in the mailbox overnight
5. Have cheques sent to the bank and pick them up
6. Pay attention to billing cycles and review statements
7. Opt out of pre-approved credit card applications (1-888-567-8688)
8. Remove yourself from mail marketing lists to reduce the amount of mail you receive. In Canada contact:
   Canadian Direct Marketing Association
   Do Not Mail Service
   607-1 Concorde Gate
   Don Mills, ON
   M3C 3N6
9. Before entering any data online, ensure the site uses 128-bit encryption – look for the padlock symbol at the bottom right hand corner of the web browser. Double-clicking on the padlock enables you to see information that indicates that the site’s identity is legit and the data is encrypted. You’ll also see “https” in the url
10. Select a complex password of letters, numbers and symbols
11. Install firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware and security software and update frequently
12. Don’t try, buy or reply to spam or emails that request banking information
13. When disposing of hard drives, use overwrite software or destroy the drive
14. Encrypt data – Pretty Good Privacy enables you to encrypt data and offers a freeware version – pgp.com/products/freeware

If you’re a victim
Contact:

1. Local police – you’ll get a report number
2. Credit bureaus – request a fraud alert be placed on your credit bureau
3. Bank – closed any compromised accounts to reduce exposure
4. Credit card companies – dispute charges you didn’t make to minimize the impact (pay now dispute later!)
5. Cheque-verification companies – alert merchants of fraudulent cheques
6. Local driver’s license office – put a lost/stolen warning on your file and get a new driver’s license
7. Canada Post
8. To replace Health, Driver’s License and SIN cards, call 1-800 O Canada
9. PhoneBusters 1-888-495-8501 or phonebusters.com (Canadian Anti-fraud Call Centre)

You can file a complaint at the Strategis website at strategis.ic.gc.ca – click on the Consumer Information link on the lower left. Under the Tools section, click on the Fraud Quiz and Fraud files link. Then choose the Scams/Frauds link on the left. Scroll down to the Canadian Fraud section and click on Economic Crime Online (RCMP) and link to report the crime.

PIPEDA – Personal Information Protection and Electronic Document Act - Protects consumers and their right to privacy pertaining to their personal information

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