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Identity Theft & Fraud [1:41] QuickTime [21.5 mb] Windows Media [19.5 mb] Crime Prevention Handbook [3.5 Mb]

Crime Prevention Identity Theft

Could it Happen to You?

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 co-opts your name, your Social Insurance Number (SIN), your credit card number or some other piece of your personal information for their use or when someone gets your personal information without your knowledge, it's a crime.

Identity theft is a growing problem. You can take steps to protect yourself against this crime.

Financial fraud: the most common form of identity theft. Money is stolen through banking procedures, fraudulent credit card use, computers or other forms of telecommunication, social program misuse, tax refunds or mail fraud.

Personation: criminals take on someone else’s identity in order to commit a crime, enter a country, obtain special permits, hide their own identity or commit acts of terrorism

How Criminals Steal Identities:

Tomb stoning: Organized crime and terrorist groups have been known to obtain names, names of parents, and dates of birth of deceased individuals from tombstones and then use this information to create a new identity.

Stealing wallets and purses: Do not carry all your identification in your purse or wallet when you go out – carry only what you will need for that specific trip. It is important that pieces of identification are kept in a safe place, and the information contained on them kept secret. Criminals can make use of almost any form of personal identification the average person possesses, including:

• Name, address, telephone number
• Birth certificate / passport / health card
• Mother’s maiden name
• Social Insurance Number
• Driver’s licence number
• Bank and credit cards and/or number
• Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Redirected mail: It is important to alert the Post Office, credit card companies and other business and government agencies of your new address immediately.

ATM/Debit Card: Ensure the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) you use is from a reputable bank. Do not use an ATM that looks unfamiliar or suspicious. Ideally, use ATMs in daylight hours in busy locations. Tell bank staff or property owners if you see suspicious people hanging around an ATM. Notify bank staff immediately of faulty or defective ATMs. Do not write down your PIN. Shield the keypad from view of people around you when you use your ATM card.

Anyone lurking around the machine could be watching you enter your PIN (referred to as “shoulder surfing”). Do not count your money at the machine – put it away and count it later in a safe place. NEVER accept help from someone in the vicinity if the machine appears to be malfunctioning – contact the bank immediately.

When using a Debit Card to make purchases at the cashier, use your hand to shield the remote keypad from view of anyone around you. Always keep your debit card in view if the cashier or salesperson swipes the card to avoid the chance of double swiping.

Credit card receipts: Credit card receipts have your card number and your signature, which can be used to make purchases. Even during transactions, always attempt to keep your card in sight. Use caution when making on-line purchases. Check for digital certificates (like the Verisign logo), which authenticate the Web site. Use a separate credit card with a low credit limit or use an escrow service (like PayPal) for on-line purchases.

Dumpster diving: Destroy unwanted mail, in particular, credit card offers. Pieces of mail with your name, address, date of birth, signature, etc., discarded in the trash can be used to complete a credit card application in your name.

Mailbox: Pick up your mail regularly to minimize the chance of someone stealing a pre-approved credit card offer, tax form, etc.

Online databases: Think twice before you provide your personal information online. Online databases are frequently sold and traded.

Hacking: Information can be obtained by someone hacking into computer programs or files. Hacking is the unauthorized access to your computer via the Internet. Inquire about firewalls, encryption capabilities and other security measures

How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft:

While you probably can't prevent identity theft entirely, you can minimize your risk.  By managing your personal information wisely, cautiously and with an awareness of the issue, you can help guard against identity theft.

Tips to help minimize your risk

• Before you reveal any personally identifying information, find out how it will be used and if it will be shared.
• Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or know who you're dealing with.
• Give your SIN only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identifiers when possible.  
• Don't carry your SIN card; leave it in a secure place.
• Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if your bills don't arrive on time. 
• Review credit card statements carefully. Be suspicious of unfamiliar charges.
• If denied credit, find out why. Contact a credit rating agency or Phone Busters.
• Guard your mail. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery. Ensure mail is forwarded or re-routed if you move or change your mailing address.
• Use Personal Identification Numbers on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your Social Insurance Number or your phone number.
• Protect your Personal Identification Numbers for your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Never write them down and leave them where a criminal could discover them. Once they have your password and your card, they have access to your accounts.
• Do not give out your PIN to anyone for any reason. No legitimate person or business will EVER ask you for your PIN.
• Minimize the identification information and number of cards you carry.
• Put only name and address on cheques.
• Keep items with personal information in a safe place. An identity thief will pick through your garbage or recycling bins. Be sure to tear or shred receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, credit offers you get in the mail, and any other documentation which contains personal and private information.
• PAYMENT CARDS (Debit & Credit): When using a payment card, ensure that your card is only swiped once in the proper card reader. Don't be afraid to ask questions of a staff member regarding a transaction. There have been instances where a secondary card reader called a skimmer is used to capture the magstripe information from the back of the card. In doing so, it is possible to copy personal banking information and then use that information to create a counterfeit card.
• When using a Point of Sale terminal, ensure that it is affixed and completely intact and free of any other devices which could be used to copy the banking information from your payment card. Also protect your PIN number when entering it in a keypad.
• If you encounter a Point of Sale terminal or Automatic Bank Machine that you believe has been compromised, do not use it. Call the Winnipeg Police Service at 986-6222.
• If you have had your purse or wallet stolen, report it to police immediately. File a police report by calling 986-6222 or going to a police station or service centre.
• If you lose a credit card, bankbook or bankcard, report it to the bank as soon as possible. You should also immediately notify the following three Canadian credit rating agencies, which will flag your account and watch for suspicious activity
  
  Equifax Canada – 1-800-465-7166
  Northern Credit Bureau – 1-800-532-8784
  Trans Union – 1-800-663-9980

Remember:There is no reason to be paranoid; there's just reason to be careful.

How to Tell if You Are a Victim

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

If you are a Victim:

If you suspect that your personal information has been stolen 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: (877) 323-2598, for lost or stolen identification press 1, if you are a victim of identity theft press 2. 
• Trans Union: (877) 525-3823    
• Close any accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
• 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.
• If you have been a victim of a fraud, please contact the Winnipeg Police Service at 986-6222. You may be asked to come in person to a Winnipeg Police Service police station or service centre to file the report.
• If you are not a resident of Winnipeg, file a report with the Police in the community where the identity theft took place.
• Contact the PhoneBusters National Call Centre. PhoneBusters is the central repository for all pertinent information on identity theft to identity trends and patterns. Information is also used to assist law enforcement agencies in possible investigations.

If you need more information or have any questions about identity theft, contact the Winnipeg Police Service Community Relations Unit at 986-6322 or PhoneBusters, toll free at 1-888-495-8501.

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Last update: June 1, 2009

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