Identity theft has become an increasingly popular crime in Canada and continues to be highly publicized. Identity theft involves the unauthorized collection and use of your personal information for criminal purposes and financial gain.
The most common type of identity theft is the use of personal information to gain access to your bank account or credit cards. Most banks will refund the money back to you if it is fraudulently stolen. Unfortunately the criminals can also use personal information to apply for other credit cards and unbeknownst to the victim, ruin their credit score. Identity thieves may apply for falsified loans in another name, undertake bank balance transfers, or commit mortgage fraud. Once this has been done you may have the burden of extensive court costs, lawyer fees, telephone expenses, notary costs, registered mail costs, and missed salary in order to reclaim your identity.
Criminals involved in identity theft can obtain personal information through a variety of different means. With recent technological advances in computers and the growth of the online community they can gain access to person information through the internet quite easily. Phishing is a new form of identity theft that refers to the luring techniques identity thieves use to obtain personal information from internet users. Phishing refers to the technique of creating websites and emails which look like they come from well known and legitimate businesses, financial institutions, and government agencies. Criminals may also go through your mail if it is not shredded or break into your vehicle or house to get personal information. Vital information such as your name, address, date of birth, social insurance number, and care card number can be used to impersonate the victim.
To avoid being a victim of identity theft never give out your personal information to anyone over the phone or internet unless you have contacted them and are sure that it is a secure transaction. Do not keep personal information such as birth certificates or social insurance numbers in your wallet in case it is stolen and only carry ID and credit cards that you use regularly. Your passport should only be on you when you are travelling. If you do not receive monthly bills on time call the bank or creditors and always check your statements to make sure that there aren’t any strange charges.
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