Identity theft is a crime in which someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit fraud.  They could make purchases with your money, for example, or use your identity to apply for more credit or even travel.  This is one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada, and it can seriously affect your finances, your credit rating and even your ability to travel internationally.

It is very important to protect information such as your birth date, mother’s maiden name, credit card numbers, social insurance number and your PIN (Personal Identification Number).  Theft of your personal information can happen very easily, and in ways you may not suspect – a thief could steal your mail, be the host of an unsecured website or even be a guest in your home.

Protecting yourself from identity theft is a simple matter of being cautious with your personal information and disposing of confidential documents properly.  The Calgary Police Service suggests taking the following steps;

 - Be careful when giving out personal information; at the door, on the phone, on the Internet or by mail.  Make sure that you know who you are dealing with and how your information will be used.

 - Be suspicious of telephone/online surveys that request personal info.

 - Watch your mail – remove mail from your mailbox immediately. Contact Canada Post if mail has not arrived for an unusual amount of time.  File change of address notices to with Canada Post before you move.

 - Review your credit card and bank transactions, either online or through mailed statements.

 - Use a cross-cut shredder to shred all documents and mail such as credit card applications and bank statements.

 - Report lost or stolen identification and credit or debit cards immediately

 - Slim down your wallet – memorize your social insurance number, carry one low-limit credit card and store you birth certificate and passport in a safe place.

 - Be selective with your email address.  Reduce the amount of information you give out about yourself online.

 - When disposing of old computers, cellular phones and PDAs, remove the hard drive or professionally wipe it clean.

 - Protect your PIN (Personal Identification Number) when entering it into a bank machine or at a store cash register.  Do not write it down.  Do not give it to anybody.  Make sure that your PIN is one that cannot be easily guessed.

 - Review your credit bureau at least annually to ensure that all credit information is correct and up to date.