IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION

Presentation by Constable Bernard Louwerse

of the Chatham-Kent Police Service

November 7, 2006

SOME OF THE POINTS COVERED

1. DEFINITION :
   Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada. Identity theft occurs when someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal information in a way that involves fraud or deception, for their own personal gain.




2. PERSONAL INFORMATION AT RISK :
   Social Insurance Numbers, birth certificates, bank account or credit card numbers, telephone calling card numbers, pre-approved credit applications, passports, etc.




3. RISKY BUSINESS :
   a) Charging dinner at a restaurant

   b) Using payment cards to purchase gasoline or rent a car

   c) Submitting personal information to employers and various levels of government

   d) Leaving mail unattended

   e) Anytime you expose personal information




4. IMPLICATIONS :
   a) Out-of-pocket financial losses

   b) Additional financial and time costs to : restore reputation; correct information




5. IF YOU ARE A VICTIM :
   a) Contact your bank or credit card company

   b) Report the matter to your local police

   c) Report your identity theft case to credit reporting agencies




CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES

EQUIFAX CANADA :
Report fraud (800) 465-7166

Website : www.equifax.com/EFX_Canada

Cost is $15.50, Business Report is $39.50

TRANS UNION CANADA :
Report fraud (800) 663-9980

Website: www.tuc.ca/TUCorp/consumerpersonalsolutions.htm

 

PHONEBUSTERS : 1-888-495-8501




COMMON THEFT METHODS

THEFT OF PAYMENT CARDS AND DOCUMENTS :
a) Steal your information from purses, wallets, mailboxes, even garbage.
b) Searching for "pre-approved credit-card offers" to change the return address to one of their own choosing.

SHOULDER SURFING :
a) Looking over your shoulder as you enter your PIN at an ATM .
b) Installing a fake ATM device or distract you to take or switch your card.
c) Using your PIN number to drain your bank account without your knowledge.

SKIMMING :
a) "Skim" or "swipe" customer credit cards using an electronic device.
b) Skimmer records the personal data from the magnetic strips.
c) Identity thieves transfer the data onto fraudulently made credit cards.

PHISHING & WEBSITE "SPOOFING" :
a) Creation of e-mails and websites imitating legitimate businesses.
b) No real connection exists.
c) Consumers enter personal data.
d) Data is used to engage in various fraud schemes.

THEFT FROM COMPANY OR GOVERNMENT DATABASES :
a) Significant appeal of large database containing personal information.
b) Theft of computer hard drives, bribing employees to obtain personal data, or hacking into databases.

PROTECT YOURSELF NOW!

Collect mail promptly; if away from home, ask a trusted friend to collect it.

Secure garbage in a fenced area, shred old financial information.

Never leave a purse, wallet, or credit cards unattended.

When making purchases, ensure that your card is only swiped once (skimming) .

Lock your house and car even when you are inside, take valuables with you.

Only carry ID necessary at any given time.

Store birth certificates and SIN cards securely.

Avoid giving financial information over the phone or internet (unless security features are in place and reliable.)

Protect personal identification numbers . (PIN)

Check your credit card bills each month. Look for any transactions you didn't make.

 

CHATHAM-KENT POLICE SERVICE

EMERGENCIES : DIAL - 911

OFFICES : 519-352-1234- EXT 0