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Identity theft is a crime that affects consumers at home, at work, in the shopping mall or online. Vigilant consumers who exercise common sense, monitor their account status and protect their personal information are the best equipped to safeguard their identity.
Safety Tips
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Safety Tips |
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1. Monitor your accounts.
With a close eye on your account, you can spot suspicious activity and take steps to notify officials. The accounts that you hold with your bank, phone company, and e-commerce providers should be monitored regularly. You should also order a credit report every year to ensure that it is accurate.
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2. Never reply to emails that ask for personal information.
Email is a risky way to send your personal information - especially financial or other sensitive information. You can help protect your identity by refusing to give personal information (such as Social Insurance Numbers, credit card numbers and account passwords) via email and by never downloading email attachments that are sent from someone you do not know.
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3. Use strong and unique passwords.
Good passwords have two things in common. First, they include a combination of letters and numbers. This helps prevent someone from guessing your password and prevents an intruding computer from randomly going through words in the dictionary until it finds the right match. Learn more.
Second, a strong password will be unique to the account. Just as you wouldn't use the same key for your car, your office and your house, unique passwords are an important preventative step in the event someone obtains one of your passwords.
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What You Should Do if You've Become an Identity Theft Victim |
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Maybe you never opened that account, or ordered an additional card, but someone else did....someone who used your name and personal information to commit fraud. When an imposter takes and/or uses your personal information without your knowledge - it's a crime, pure and simple.
The signs can be many, but typical indicators that your identity is being used include:
- A creditor informs you that an application for credit was received with your name and address, which you did not apply for.
- Telephone calls or letters state that you have been approved or denied by a creditor that you never applied to.
- You receive credit card statements or other bills in your name, which you did not apply for.
- You no longer receive credit card statements or you notice that not all of your mail is delivered.
- A collection agency informs you they are collecting for a defaulted account established with your identity and you never opened the account.
Identity Theft Statement - What is it?
If you have been a victim of identity theft, Phonebusters' Identity Theft Statement helps you notify financial institutions, credit card issuers and other companies that the identity theft occurred, tell them that you did not create the debt or charges, and give them information they need to begin an investigation. Make as many copies of the statement as you will need to notify all affected companies. You will need Acrobat Reader to view the statement. Acrobat Reader download
To print a copy of the Identity Theft Statement, click here.
It you suspect that your personal information has been hijacked and misappropriated to commit fraud or theft, take action immediately and keep a record of your conversations and correspondence. The following basic actions are appropriate in almost every case.
• Start a log of dates, person(s) that you spoke with and exactly what they said.
• Contact the fraud departments of each of the two major credit bureaus.
• Equifax: (800) 465-7166 and
• Trans Union: (877) 525-3823 except
• Quebec residents (877) 713-3393
• Request that a 'Fraud Alert' be placed in your files. At the same time order copies of your credit reports.
• Contact the fraud department of creditors for any accounts that have been opened or tampered with fraudulently. This may include credit card companies, phone companies, banks and other lenders.
• File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
• Contact Phonebusters National Call Centre at 1-888-495-8501. Phonebusters is currently central sourcing all pertinent information on Identity Theft to identify trends and patterns, information is also used to assist law enforcement agencies in possible investigations.
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