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Sections & Units
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Crime Prevention Unit
Identity Theft
Could it Happen to You?
Steps to Avoid Becoming a Victim
Presented by the Calgary Police Service Crime Prevention Unit
DISCLAIMER
The information provided is intended to assist with safe technology practices. It is not a guarantee that you will not be vulnerable to identity crime. Used in its entirety this information is designed as a basis for learning and for developing effective crime prevention for free non-commercial use.
Quick Links
How big of a Problem is Identity Theft?
- 2002 → Canada Total Loss $8,829,378.45
- 2002 → Alberta 635 incidents $593,599.25
- 2003 → Canada Total Loss 8,817 incidents; $14,107,864.90
- 2003 → Alberta 724 incidents $806,745.84
Total loss in US in 2002 54 million dollars*!!
*PhoneBusters 09/03
What is Identity Theft?
Definition FBI:
"Theft or misuse of personal or financial identifiers to gain value and/or facilitate criminal activity."
Identity theft is a crime whereby the perpetrator acquires key pieces of personal information about an individual in order to impersonate them. The victim may be dead or living.
Key Information:
- Name, Address, Date of Birth
- Social Insurance Number/Social Security Number
- Mother's maiden name
Where do they get the information?
Thieves access personal information by:
- Stealing your mail
- Looking through your garbage "Dumpster Diving"
- Stolen or lost wallet or purse
- Careless information handling
- Employee theft
- Ex-Spouse uses family information
- License Manufacturing
- Data Sale or sharing
- Guest or roommates
- Internet Trolling
- Spoof Sites on the Internet
- Laptop Theft
- Social Engineering - you give it to them
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- From Internet sites that are not secure
- Completing a "Change of Address" form
- Unprotected Servers
- Skimming from magnetic strips
- War-driving - Hacking
- Tombstone Identities
- Key Loggers
- Wireless surveillance
- "The inside" - a Grocery Clerk taking key information off a cheque that you have written
- Internal Privileged Access - Disgruntled employees, Temporary workers
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How does it Happen in your Office or Client's Business?
- Breach of Confidentiality
- Unauthorized access
- Negligent Security unlocked cabinets/drawers
- Outsourcing Data Entry
- Improper Disposal of Information
- Negligent Hiring and/or Supervision
What damage can they do?
- Obtain a driver license
- Obtain a SIN card
- Obtain a phone or cell phone
- Commit tax fraud
- Obtain medical services
- Commit crime using your good name
- Steal money and credit from a personal portfolio
How do they assume my identity?
Once thieves have access to this information they can commit various forms of fraud by:
- Having mail re-routed to a new address
- Gaining access to victim's financial accounts
- Opening new bank accounts
- Acquiring utility & phone services
- Applying for bank loans, credit cards and social security benefits
- Purchasing vehicles or renting apartments
Hassle is the most difficult part of this crime! It can take years to recover.
Who are the thieves?
- Hackers
- Privileged Access Employees
- Opportunist
- Organized criminals
- Street Level Criminals
- Tombstone Identity Rings
- Terrorists
- International Fugitives
Signs That I May Be A Victim
- A creditor informs you that an application has been received or declined for credit received with your name.
- Telephone calls or letters state that you have been approved/denied asking why there has been a change of address.
- You receive statements/bills in your name that you did not apply.
- You no longer receive credit card statements or all of your mail is not being delivered.
- A collection agency informs you they are collecting for a defaulted account that you never opened.
How Can I Prevent Becoming a Victim of Identity Crime?
Active Defense Identity Theft
- Immediately remove mail delivered to your mailbox - cancel mail when away.
- Do not place outgoing mail into unsecured mail receptacles - best to make deposits at your local post office.
- Buy a shredder to shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and any sensitive financial information.
NEVER give personal information over the telephone, such as:
- Social insurance number
- Date of Birth
- Mother's maiden name
- Credit card number
- Bank PIN number
Other Methods of Protecting Yourself:
- Don't put your telephone number on your cheques.
- If someone asks for your Social Insurance Number ask. WHY!!
- Keep track of credit cards at restaurants or locations where second party can take your card out of sight.
- NEVER leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters, trash receptacles or unattended gas pumps.
- Keep track of all your paperwork to avoid disputes over payments that you didn't authorize.
- Memorize your social information number and all of your passwords.
- Sign all new credit cards received immediately.
- Save all credit card receipts and match them up against your monthly statements.learn your cycles.
- Closely monitor expiration dates on your credit cards.
- Contact credit card agency if replacement not received prior to the expiration date.
- Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
- Photo copy the contents of your wallet to make it easier to report and keep track of the contents in your wallet at a given date.
- Beware of mail or telephone solicitation disguised as promotions offering instant prizes designed to gain personal information or credit card numbers.
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- Teach your children not to give out personal information on the Internet or telephone.
- Install a firewall on your computer to prevent personal or financial information stored on your computer to become accessible to thieves.
- Install software patches immediately as they are presented.
- NEVER disclose your credit card number or personal financial information on-line at any website without receiving confirmation of a secured authentication key from your provider.
- NEVER disclose passwords or credit card account number to confirm subscription of an online service.
- Don't put your address or license plate number on your key ring.
- Be alert to "Shoulder Surfers."
- Remove your computer hard drive prior to selling or disposing of your computer.
- Don't carry extra credit cards and ID in your wallet - cancel identification you do not use.
- Keep telephone numbers separate from credit card or social insurance numbers.
- Order your credit report from the two credit bureaus once per year to check for fraudulent activity on your credit history.
- Safeguard sensitive information on laptop computers using encryption programs.
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Spoof Sites
Recently Internet sites like E-Bay, Verizon, PayPal have been used as spoof sites. Spoof sites are websites that look genuine but are actually created to deceive you into disclosing of personal or financial information. Other web sites attempt to deceive you into appearing trustworthy and genuine by using logos from the Better Business Bureau or VISA.
Remember check the URL's on websites that you enter financial information to ensure they match the site you visit. Remember financial institutions and legitimate corporations will never contact you asking for personal information, PIN numbers or verification on your credit card. Delete e-mails from spoofers and do not respond.they are fake!
Social Engineering - Steps to Avoid Being a Victim
- If contacted by a person saying they are an employee and need information, verify, verify, and verify, by placing the person on hold and calling the extension to make sure the call is genuine.
- "Establish a Need to Know." Don't send sensitive information to anyone without checking it out first. Advise your children not to give up personal family information to anyone.
- "Watch your Email." Hackers use email with friendly subject lines.
- "Beware of Surveys," do not participate in phone surveys, on-line surveys or door-to-door surveys. This is an easy way to gather personal information from unsuspecting parties.
How can I prevent my business from becoming a victim?
- Conduct background checks
- Limit access to sensitive information
- Limit Collection of Data
- Stop Use of personal identifiers
- Create anti-theft manuals
- Train all temporary employees and contractors on an ongoing basis
- Integrate laws and best practices
- Conduct informal security audits
- Establish strict privacy policies control of info and off-line
What Action Do I Take As A Victim Of Identity Theft?
- File a report with your local police department and obtain a case number.
- Notify all creditors by phone and in writing about the crime.
- Keep a log of all your contacts.
- Use a credit bureau sample dispute letter.
- Look at the crime before & after the event how did it happen. This will often help to lead investigators to multiple crimes.
- Prepare to complete an ID Theft Affidavit.
- Learn as much as you can!!
Conduct A Credit Bureau Report Annually
Contact the fraud division of one of the following two credit reporting agencies:
Equifax Credit Bureau, Fraud Dept.
Phone: 1-800-525-6285
www.equifax.ca
TransUnion Credit Bureau, Fraud Dept.
Phone: 1-800-680-7289
www.tuc.ca
Tell the credit bureau that you are a victim of identity theft and request a "fraud alert" be placed on your file.
Document all these contacts with dates, names and phone numbers for your records
Correct all mistakes on your credit report in writing
In Canada call Phonebusters:
- Toll Free: 1-888-495-8501
- Overseas and Local: 1-705-495-8501
- Fax Number (Overseas and Local): 1-705-494-4008
- Toll Free Fax Number: 1-888-654-9426
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Mailing Address:
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Box 686
North Bay, Ontario P1B 8J8
- E-mail: info@phonebusters.com
- Web: www.phonebusters.com
Additional Resources
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