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  Identity Theft in Canada
  Facts and Tips for Canadians

  According to the Solicitor General of Canada, Canadian law enforcement agencies continue to see alarming increases in identity theft. This kind of crime is used either for the personal gain of the thief, such as those using credit cards to buy merchandise, or as a contribution to other crimes. These contingent crimes can be as serious as organized crime, funding gangs, or even terrorism.
  
  Need help with Identity Theft?
  Check out Identity Theft Shield
  
  Some Facts about Identity Theft in Canada
  According to the major Canadian credit unions, the majority of identity theft complaints come from the province of Ontario, followed closely by Quebec, then British Columbia. The Canadian government provides an Identity Theft Statement form, which can help you to file written documentation of your identity theft incident; this form will help you to notify your creditors and other businesses and institutions about the crime that has happened to you. This will provide a legal record so that you will not be liable for charges made on your account without your consent. However, some companies prefer to use their own forms, so be sure you have filed the correct one with the business.
  
  How It Happens
  There are many ways in which a criminal could attempt to steal your identity. Some of the most common include learning your ATM code, going through your trash to find approved credit card offers or personal documents, or hacking into your computer. However, there are ways to keep it from happening.
  
  How to Prevent It
  Identity theft is a crime that can turn you into a victim for months, if not years. The best thing to do is to make sure it never happens to you in the first place. There are things you can do that will make it very difficult for an identity thief to choose you as his or her next victim.

  These techniques fall into four categories:
  
  1. Guard your personal information. Shred personal documents when you no longer need them. Don’t carry your birth certificate, social insurance card, or passport with you, as that information could be easily stolen.
     
  2. Guard your computer. Don’t use programs that remember your usernames or passwords. Always use a firewall program to keep intruders out. Protect against viruses. Emails aren’t secure, so be very careful of what you put in them.
     
  3. Pay attention to details. If your credit card bill hasn’t come, you should know. If it looks like someone has been through your trash, you should notice. If someone is standing too close to you in the ATM line, you should ask him to move. Inattention in these small matters can be very costly to you.
     
  4. Get your credit report. Canadian law allows you to get a free copy of your credit report once a year; do this, and address anything on it that looks wrong. Don’t assume that the credit agency is always right; over 70% of credit reports have errors. If the debt is legitimate, you have the right under Alberta’s Fair Trading Act to contest it.

Need help with Identity Theft?
Check out Identity Theft Shield

NOTE: Prepaid Legal is available in the following Canadian Provinces:
British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario