Are you taking the best steps to secure your identity?
According to a survey from Equifax Canada Inc., the rise in identity fraud poses a substantial risk to both consumers and businesses, as fraudsters use increasingly sophisticated scam tactics.
Identity theft can be costly so it’s important to recognize the signs early. The earlier you notice something is wrong, the faster you can take action to minimize the damage.
“It’s about spotting the signs and using the resources available to safeguard all of our private information,” BBB marketing director Neesha Hothi in a news release.
“Scammers are sophisticated and with enough personal information, they can pretend to be you and commit many crimes. That’s why Data Privacy Week is such an important reminder about what actions we can take to protect ourselves.”
Common signs of identity theft
Find BBB resources below to learn to spot the signs of identity fraud and the ways you can protect yourself.
- Look for unexplained withdrawals, charges, and accounts.
- Review your bank account and credit card statements regularly. Look for unfamiliar charges, accounts, or withdrawals.
- Check your credit reports regularly for unauthorized inquiries and accounts.
- The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada provides information on how to request a free credit report. Space these checks out throughout the year, and you will quickly know if something is wrong.
Ways to protect yourself from identity theft:
- Be careful with your personal information.
- Treat your personal information like the valuable commodity it is. Ensure you shred documents containing your bank account information, Social Insurance Number, or other personal details, such as credit card applications, insurance forms, financial statements, health forms, and billing statements. Cut up expired credit and debit cards, and cut through the numbers before you dispose of them.
- Secure personal documents at home.
- Ensure personal documents are in a safe place – preferably under lock and key – and not lying out in plain sight. Minimize personal information on checks, as there is no need to include your Driver’s License or phone number.
- Be alert to phishing attempts.
- Phishing attempts may come via email, text, social media messages, or even phone calls. Be suspicious of any unsolicited communication asking you for personal information.
📣 Got an opinion on this story or any others in the Tri-Cities? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected].
📲 Want to stay updated on Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra news? Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
💬 Words missing in an article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.
