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Stealing identity is a theft that really hurts innocent Canadian consumers

The Leader-Post (Regina)
Saturday, April 20, 2002
Page: B1 / FRONT
Section: City & Province
Byline: Anne Kyle
Source: Leader-Post

The theft of personal identity is more insidious than the scams perpetrated by telemarketing con artists offering consumers get-rich schemes or money-savings deals that are too good to be true.

"Identity theft can wreck your credit rating and it can take months to get your life back together,'' said Det. Staff Sgt. Barry Elliott, the co-coordinator of Phonebusters, a national call centre combating telemarketing fraud and identity theft operated by the Ontario Provincial Police and RCMP.

"Since Sept. 5, some 3,400 Canadians have been the victims of identity theft resulting in the reported loss of $4 million,'' Elliott told the Canadian Club of Regina luncheon on Friday.

However, he said, it is believed that loss is closer to $12 million, because many thefts go unreported.

While you probably can't prevent identity theft entirely, Elliott said, individuals can minimize their risks by managing their personal information wisely, cautiously and with an awareness of the issue.

"When an impostor co-opts your name, social insurance number, credit card number or other personal information for their use without your knowledge, it's a crime," he said, urging those in attendance to arm themselves with the knowledge they need to protect their good name and credit reputation.

Never reveal identifying information unless you know who you are dealing with and how it is going to be used and whether it will be shared, he said.

"And never give it out over the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact,'' he said.

Elliott also urged those in attendance to protect their social insurance numbers and not give it out except when it is absolutely necessary. Keep items with personal information in a safe place, guard against mail theft, and shred or destroy letters, bank statements or other documents containing account numbers and personal information before discarding them, he said.

"I also suggest that once a year individuals order a credit report from each of the two major credit-reporting agencies to ensure it is accurate and only includes activities they have authorized.

''If you are a victim, take immediate action by calling the credit bureaus' fraud departments requesting a fraud alert be placed on your file requiring creditors call before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts.

Elliott also suggests closing any accounts that have been tampered with or fraudulently opened, report the identity theft to police and file a report with Phonebusters.

Consumers should also protect themselves by never giving out their credit card or bank account numbers over the phone, Elliott said.

In 1995, nearly 4,400 Canadians lost $10 million as a result of fraudulent telemarketing schemes, Elliott said. Last year as a result of public education and Phonebusters vigilant pursuit of the criminals involved in these activities that number dropped to 200.

Idnumber: 200204200089
Edition: Final
Story Type: Crime
Length: 466 words

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