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What would you do if someone used your name and personal information to commit fraud? When an imposter Co-opts your name, your Social Insurance Number (SIN), your credit card number, or some other piece of your personal information for their use - or when someone appropriates your personal information without your knowledge – it’s a crime. Minimize the Risk While you probably can’t prevent identity theft entirely, you can minimize your risk. Identity theft is on the rise and it can happen to anyone. It can happen to you. By managing your personal information wisely, cautiously and with an awareness of the issue, you can help guard against identity theft. Identity Theft: Tips that will help minimize your risk 1) Before you reveal any personally identifying information, find Out how it will be used and if it will he shared. 2) Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if your bills don’t arrive on time. 3) Guard your mail. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery. Ensure mail is forwarded or re-routed if you move or change your mailing address. 4) Utilize passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SIN, or your phone number. 5) Minimize the identification information and number of cards you carry. 6) Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or know whom you’re dealing with. 7) Keep items with personal information in a safe place. An identity thief will pick through your garbage or recycling bins. Be sure to tear or shred receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements and credit offers you get in the mail. 8) Give your SIN only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible. 9) Don’t carry your SIN card leave it in a secure place. |
LIST OF SCAMS · 1-900 Scams · Advanced Fee Letter Fraud (419 / Nigerian Letters) · Advanced Fee Loans · Cheque Overpayment Fraud · Consumer Tips · False Charities · Identity Theft · Office Supplies / Directory · Phishing · Prize Pitch · Pyramid Schemes · Recovery Pitch · Travel Remember — there is no reason to be paranoid; just reason to be careful. If someone wants desperately to target you, they can probably get a lot of information about you - so you to minimize the criminal’s opportunities to get that information. The best defense is to yourself a harder target. Learn more about fraud at |
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