Identity Theft

If you are the victim of identity theft, there are steps you can take to minimize damage and help prevent any further fraud or theft. As soon as you discover the fraud or theft, take the following steps to report it.

• Call your financial institutions and have them cancel your cards and re-issue new ones. If you do not report a lost or stolen card immediately you could be liable for any losses.
• Contact your local police. If a report is filed, be sure to include the police report number they give you in all correspondence you have relating to the theft.
• Contact Canada´s main credit reporting agencies:

  Trans Union Canada at www.tuc.ca (1-866-525-0262 Quèbec 1-877-713-3393)
  Equifax Canada at www.equifax.ca (1-866-779-6440)
  Northern Credit Bureau at www.creditbureau.ca (1-800-532-8784)
  

  Ask each agency to send you a copy of your credit report, and discuss with them whether you should have a fraud alert placed on your file.

• Replace your ID cards like health, driver´s license, or SIN by calling 1 800 O-Canada. An agent will be able to direct you to the appropriate federal and provincial organization to replace each of your cards.
• If your mail is missing, contact Canada Post at www.canadapost.ca (1-800-267-1177).
• Contact each organization that provided the identity thief with unauthorized credit, money, information, goods or services in your name, and ask them to investigate the occurrence as well as cancel and close all fraudulent or affected cards or accounts.

  Find out the following:

  • What information does the company need to begin an investigation?
  • Has the company begun a criminal investigation? If so, what is the police report number? What do you need to do to have your losses reimbursed?

• For advice on privacy issues related to the identity theft (PIPEDA) contact the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (1-800-282-1376 or www.privcom.gc.ca). Note that Quèbec, British Columbia, and Alberta have separate privacy laws that are similar to PIPEDA, so if you live in one of these provinces, contact the corresponding Provincial Commissioner.
• To help stop fraud, be sure to report the incident to Phonebusters, Canada´s national anti-fraud call centre. Phonebusters gathers information and intelligence about identity theft and provides advice and assistance to victims. www.phonebusters.com (1-888-495- 8501)

Websites

• Identity Theft The Privacy Commissioner of Canada - Identifies the problem and offers tips on prevention and what to do if it occurs.
• RCMP Frauds and Scams - Tips from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• Special Report for Consumers on Identity Theft - Tips and reports from the Solicitor General of Canada.
• PhoneBusters - Includes victim information, a list of scams, statistics on the crime, and prevention tips.
• Federal Trade Commission - Identity Theft - The U.S. government's central website for information about identity theft.
• Identity Theft Resource Center - Features detailed guides for victims, current laws, media resources, and reference library.
• Avoiding Identity Theft - Identity theft and fraud information from the United States Department of Justice.
• Identity Theft - The U.S. government's central website for information about identity theft, the fastest growing Internet crime.
• Life Advice: Being a Victim of Fraud - Information provided by Met Life on fraud, identity theft and insurance fraud.
• Equifax - National consumer credit reporting company that offers credit reports, FICO(R) credit scores and identity theft protection products to consumers and small businesses.
• Stop SPAM and Telemarketers - Simple steps to help stop spam, telemarketers, and to prevent identity theft. Includes state-by-state rights and regulations.
• White Collar Crime - Articles and resources on Corporate crime waves, business scams, workplace ethics, identity theft, fraud, and credit card crimes.
• Better Business Bureau - Stopping Identity Theft: Protecting Your Privacy - Articles for consumers and businesses.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation - Common Fraud Schemes - Information and links on Internet fraud, telemarketing fraud, mortgage scams, identity theft, and other consumer frauds.
• Identity Theft and Identity Fraud U.S. Department of Justice - Features programs, prevention, and remedial steps after the crime.
• Identity Theft Federal Reserve Bank of Boston - Brochure in html and pdf formats.
• Identity Theft U.S. Postal Inspection Services - Features tips and brochures for prevention and for victims of the crime.
• Social Security Administration Identity Theft - Publication with tips and contact.
• Identity Theft Security - Empowering consumers with tips, resources, and tools to prevent becoming victims of identity theft.
• Identity Theft Is A Crime - Offered by the United States government, the site details the work of the President's ID Theft Task Force, victims' rights, and identifies what steps government agencies are taking to combat identity theft issues.
• Identity Theft AOL Money & Finance - Features the facts on identity theft and how to keep yourself from being victimized.