Identity theft is a serious crime that occurs when someone unlawfully uses your personal information—such as your name, social insurance number, or account numbers—without your consent. This unauthorized use can lead to fraud or theft, with potentially severe consequences for the victim. Addressing identity theft can be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful, often involving extensive efforts to resolve bad accounts, repair credit records, and clear your name. In some rare cases, victims might even face wrongful arrests due to crimes committed in their name.
How Identity Thieves Obtain Personal Information
Identity thieves use various methods to access your personal information, including:
- Mail Theft: Removing mail from your mailbox or redirecting it fraudulently.
- Physical Theft: Stealing information from wallets, purses, mail, or vehicles.
- Dumpster Diving: Retrieving personal information from your garbage or recycling bin.
- Impersonation: Posing as a creditor, landlord, or employer to obtain your credit report or other confidential information.
- Banking Fraud: Tampering with automated banking machines (ABMs) or point-of-sale terminals to capture card numbers and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).
- Public Records: Searching public sources like newspapers, telephone books, or professional certification records.
- Employee Misconduct: Buying information from dishonest employees handling personal or financial data.
Signs That Your Identity May Have Been Stolen
Be vigilant for these signs of identity theft:
- Missing Statements: Bills or statements that don’t arrive on time, possibly indicating they’ve been stolen or redirected.
- Unfamiliar Accounts: Calls from collection agencies or creditors for accounts you don’t recognize, suggesting someone has opened new accounts or added unauthorized charges.
- Unexplained Transactions: Withdrawals or transfers in your financial accounts that you did not initiate.
- Unexpected Credit Decisions: Notifications about credit approvals or denials for applications you didn’t make.
- Credit Denials: Difficulty obtaining credit or loans due to discrepancies that don’t align with your known financial position.
How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Preventing identity theft involves proactive measures to safeguard your personal information:
- Secure Your Cards: Sign credit cards upon receipt, never lend them, and cancel unused cards. Use strong passwords for online accounts and avoid recording PINs in easily accessible places.
- Limit Your Carry: Only carry necessary identification and credit cards. Store your social insurance card and passport in a secure place unless needed.
- Monitor Billing: Keep track of your billing cycles and follow up with creditors or utility companies if bills are delayed.
- Review Statements: Regularly check your credit card statements for any discrepancies and report lost or stolen cards immediately.
- Shred Documents: Destroy paperwork with personal or financial information, including bank receipts and utility bills.
- Secure Personal Data: Store sensitive information securely at home or in your office to prevent unauthorized access.
- Be Cautious Online: Avoid giving out personal information over the phone, mail, or online unless you initiated the contact and are certain of the recipient’s identity.
- Check Your Credit Report: Order a copy of your credit report annually from major credit reporting agencies. Verify its accuracy and ensure it reflects only authorized activities.
What to Do If You’re a Victim of Identity Theft
If you suspect you’re a victim of identity theft, take these immediate actions:
- Notify Your Bank or Credit Card Company: Report stolen or misused cheques or credit cards.
- File a Police Report: Contact local law enforcement to report the theft. This may be required by creditors to rectify fraudulent transactions.
- Report to Agencies: Notify relevant government and private-sector organizations about the theft. Keep copies of all correspondence and documents related to the incident.
By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps, you can better protect yourself from identity theft and mitigate its impacts should it occur.
For more personalized advice, contact Jackie Magas at 905-630-0009.
