Safeguard Yourself Against Identity Fraud

No one can guarantee that you will never be a victim of identity fraud, but you can reduce your risk. Here are ten simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of your information being stolen and misused.

Ten Essential Steps You Can Take…

1. Order your credit report. Order your credit report each year from each of the two major credit reporting agencies. (See Ordering Your Credit Report) Check each report for accuracy and for indications of fraud.
   
   
2. Guard your Social Insurance number. Do not carry your Social Insurance card with you; store it in a secure place. Avoid using your Social Insurance number if at all possible.
   
   
3. Protect your mail from theft. Mail outgoing bills from post office collection boxes rather than in an unsecured mail box. And, have the post office hold the mail when you are away.
   
   
4. Destroy documents before disposal. Tear, or better yet, shred your charge and ATM receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, cheques and bank statements or other documents that contain personal information. Also, destroy expired credit cards and convenience cheques or credit offers you get in the mail.
   
   
5. Shop online with caution. Use only a credit card when shopping on line, not a debit card. And, designate a single, distinct credit card with a low limit for on-line shopping. Regularly review your card statements for unauthorized activity.
   
   
6. Practice Safe Computing. Update your virus protection and anti-spyware software regularly. Consider using a firewall.
   
   
7. Pick your PINs carefully. Do not use any part of your Social Insurance number for any Personal Identification Number (PIN). Shield the PIN pad when you are entering the number in a retail establishment or at an ATM to prevent others from observing your PIN.
   
   
8. Lock important documents. Keep all documents with personal or account information under lock and key in your home.
   
   
9. Record your credit and bank account information. Make a list of, or photocopy, all of your credit and debit cards, including the account number, expiration date, credit limit and the telephone numbers of customer service and fraud departments. Make a similar list for your bank accounts. Keep your lists with your other secured documents.
   
   
10. Don't take that call. Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you've initiated the contact.

Ordering Your Credit Report from Major Credit Reporting Agencies

Regular periodic review of your credit report is an essential step in protecting your identity. We recommend that you order your credit report from each credit reporting agency once a year. It is best to sequence your requests every six months rather then obtaining all reports at once. That way you are in a better position to detect problems through the course of the year.

You can receive a free credit report once per year by mail only from:
Equifax Canada Inc.
Consumer Relations Department
Box 190 Jean Talon Station, Montreal, Quebec ,H1S 2Z2
1 800 465 7166 between 8:00am and 5:00pm ET
www.equifax.ca

TransUnion Consumer Relations Department
P.O. Box 338, LCD1
Hamilton, ON, L8L 7W2
1-800-663-9980 between 8:00am and 8:00pm ET
www.transunion.ca

For a fee you can access your credit report online at www.equifax.ca or www.transunion.ca.

For more information to help you deter, detect and defend against Identity Theft visit the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s website