How to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

There are two major ways in which identity theft happens: account fraud or name fraud. Account fraud is when someone gains access to your accounts, such as your bank, ATM card, or credit card accounts. Name fraud is when someone uses your name, address, social insurance number or other personal information to open new accounts. In some cases you don’t even find out about this type of fraud until you discover that your credit has been damaged and you can’t get a new card or loan.

Protect yourself today against Identity theft in Canada!

Identity theft is a terrible crime that affects millions every year, but there are ways that you can protect yourself against it. There are two areas where thieves get information that need to be guarded.

Protecting against traditional means of identity theft

Traditional means of stealing someone’s identity include any that are not electronic or computer based; for example, getting your wallet stolen or having documents copied. To minimize the risk of this happening, reduce the number of credit cards you carry. Don’t carry your social insurance card with you, and don’t have your social insurance number printed on your checks or your driver’s license, since thieves can use it for a wide variety of abuses. If your cards expire, cut them up. Also be sure to shred any pre-approved credit card offers, as those can be used to apply for credit cards in your name. Some people suggest that you should get a lock for your mailbox so that bank statements and credit card bills can’t be stolen. Private documents should be kept private, even from family and friends.

You should have a copy of all your credit cards, including your ATM/debit card, and of your driver’s license. This way you will have the numbers ready if you have to report them stolen. Opt out of all pre-approved credit offers, so that these things are not sitting in your mailbox in the first place. You should also check your credit report at least once a year to make sure there are no unpaid charges being attributed to you.

Protecting against electronic means of identity theft

Electronic means include anything having to do with computers. This could mean your home computer, or the vast computer networks linking businesses, credit companies, banks, and you. Any time information is put into a computer, it is at risk, even if the risk is small.

When you are purchasing things with your credit card, make sure that you are only asked to run your card through one machine—a second may be a skimming device, used to read and store your information. If you are purchasing on line, make sure that the merchant’s site offers you a secure connection, and even then don’t give any more information than is strictly necessary.

Your home computer should also be protected with a firewall, anti-virus, anti-adware, and anti-spam protection. Never give out your passwords or personal information to someone who emails you claiming to be a business site.


Protect yourself today against Identity theft in Canada!


Questions that this article answers:
How can I protect myself against Identity theft?
What are ways people can steal my identity theft?
Are electronics and computers bad for identity theft?