The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Having someone assume your identity and rack up debts or commit crimes in your name is on the rise in Canada. It's called identity theft and national statistics show it increased by about 40 per cent last year with over 13,000 Canadians falling victim and losses totaling $21.6 million. Greg Switzer, Director, Loss Prevention at STAPLES Business Depot, says despite the alarming statistics, there is no need to panic. But he says individuals, home business owners and small business owners should be taking a few simple precautionary steps to help prevent thieves from getting data that lets them pretend to be you. These include: - Keeping all personal information in a safe place and shredding everything you don't need. Don't just throw this material away or rip them in two. - Documents that should be shredded include anything containing personal information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, SIN, all banking and investment information, pre-approved credit applications, blank credit card cheques, pay stubs and so forth. See 'Review' P.# Con't from P.# - Don't let mail sit in your mailbox for too long. - Keep track of your billing cycles and follow up with companies if a bill or cheque has not arrived on time. - Frequently review credit card and bank statements for any irregularities. If there are any discrepancies, or if you don't recognize a charge, contact the billing institution immediately. - Get and review a copy of your credit report at least once a year from Canada's national credit reporting agencies, Trans Union Canada, Equifax Canada and Northern Credit Bureau. You may visit their Web sites at equifax.ca, tuc.ca and creditbureau.ca. - Stay informed - it is your responsibility to become an aware individual or business owner "Following these simple steps can certainly reduce the risk of being a victim," said Switzer. "It can take as much as 150 hours to rectify identity theft and costs an average of $1,000." Switzer says if you learn that you've been a victim of identity theft, immediately contact police as well as all institutions with whom you have financial dealings, credit bureaus and government agencies that issue identification.
