Identity Theft: What it is and what to do
Each year, thousands of people are victims of identity theft.
While recent advances in telecommunications and information technology facilitate communication between businesses and consumers, they also allow the widespread dissemination of personal information, making it easier for criminals.
Identity theft is the collection and unauthorized use of your personal information, usually for criminal purposes.
Your name, birth date, address, credit card number, Social Insurance Number (SIN) and other personal identification number can be used to open a bank account, get a credit card, mail forwarding, subscribe to a cellular phone service, rent vehicles, equipment or premises, and even get a job.
If someone stole your identity, you could become responsible for the bills, charges, NSF or taxes of that person.
How to avoid identity theft
• Reduce risk. Exercise caution when communicating or allow disclosure of your personal information.
• If you request your personal information, ask about the use that is made, the reasons why they are collected, those who consult them and how they will be protected.
• Only give essential information and keep you on the least possible personal information.
• Be very careful about your SIN. It provides access to large amounts of personal information about you, especially those in credit reports and databases.
• Never give out your credit card number over the phone or in e-mail or voice unless you know the recipient or if it was you who initiated communication, and you know that communication is safe.
]]>
• For the Internet, use technology to protect your safety and privacy, such as digital signatures, encryption and services to maintain your anonymity.
• Watch your bills closely. If you do not receive it from your credit card or that you lack the electricity or gas, call the company concerned and make sure those bills have not been illicitly diverted.
• Immediately notify your creditors in case of loss or theft of your identity card or credit card.
• Check the annual report prepared on you by credit agencies to make sure it is accurate and has no debts or unauthorized transactions.
• When using a direct payment terminal, an ATM or public phone, make sure nobody can see you enter your personal identification number.
• Whenever possible, ask that the consultation or alteration of information related to your accounts requires a password.
• Choose passwords that are difficult to guess – not the maiden name of your mother. Memorize them and change them frequently. Do not write on a piece of paper in your wallet or any other easily accessible place.
• Check if the agreement relating to your credit card provides protection against fraud that could prevent you from having to repay the debts of the person who stole your identity.
• Be careful what you throw in the trash. Burn or shred documents containing your financial information, such as statements, credit card offers, receipts and insurance forms. Insist that businesses you deal with do the same.
How to react if someone has stolen your identity
• Notify the police immediately. Request a copy of the police report, you can use as evidence of theft to the organizations you contact.
• Clean the mess, but avoid companies that offer to “repair your credit.” They usually can not do anything, and some even offer a solution fraudulent: a brand new credit file under a false identity.
• Write down all the things you do and the money you pay to restore your reputation and correct your credit report.
• Make cancel your credit cards and ask some others. Check with your creditors if your name has been used to alter or fraudulently open accounts.
• Do include the theft of your identity in your credit report. Check this report three months later to make sure nobody has tried to use your new identity.
• Close your bank accounts and open it in others. Insist they are protected by passwords.
• Get new calling cards and automated teller machine, and change your passwords or personal identification numbers.
• In case of passport theft, advise the Passport Office.
• Contact Canada Post if you feel that someone is diverting your mail.
• Notify your companies providing telephone service, cable, electricity or gas that a person pretending to be you could try to fraudulently open new accounts.
• Get a new driver’s license.
Daniel is an SEO content writer you can view more of his works at SEO and he enjoys his time developing forex trading systems and writing tutorials and articles about Forex and many other niches.