Protect Yourself

Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft

Protecting yourself from identity theft has become a necessary evil in the current age. Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in North America with over 9 million people being victim to some aspect of identity fraud in 2007.

Below are some tips to help you guard against identity theft:

• Order a copy of your personal credit report on a yearly basis and review the information for accuracy. (You can order one for free every year).
• Shred all unwanted documents that contain personal information.
• Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.
• Maintain a list of all your credit cards / debit cards and accounts. Make sure expiry dates and contact phone numbers are included. Do not keep this list in your wallet, keep it somewhere safe.
• If your credit cards are lost or stolen, use this list to immediately cancel all your cards.
• If you applied for a credit card and didn't receive it when you expected, or if a replacement card has not arrived when expected, call the issuer.
• If your monthly statement has not arrived in the mail when it should, call your issuer.
• If possible and applicable, use online billing rather than printed bills sent by mail.
• Sign new credit cards immediately--before someone else does.
• Memorize your Social Insurance number and passwords. Never use your date of birth as your password and don't record passwords on anything you carry around with you.
• Do not carry birth certificates or SIN cards around with you. These items, like your passport, should be stored somewhere safe.
• Never use your credit card online unless the site you are on is trusted and uses secure transactions.
• Never leave transaction receipts at ATM machines, on counters at financial institutions, or elsewhere.
• Match all bills against your monthly receipts and card statements.
• Never trust an unsolicited phone call or email offering prizes that require you to disclose personal or financial information.
• When ordering new cheques, ask to have them sent to your local bank branch, NOT to your home.