>A growing threat

About Identity Theft

In the past, thieves generally targeted your jewellery, home electronics, automobile or other tangible possessions. A burglar might break into your home, steal your belongings and sell them. As a victim of a robbery, you would likely feel violated – but you would eventually be able to replace most of the stolen goods.

>A new kind of theft

In today’s interconnected world, where almost everyone has computers and Internet access, thieves are after a different kind of commodity. Increasingly, personal information is bought and sold by the newest criminal professionals and syndicates: identity thieves.

ID theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in North America and has already hit 1 in 6 Canadians. Professional thieves and criminals troll the Internet, pick through your garbage, steal your mail, hack your hard drive or use other methods to access your most precious asset – your identity.

"As we become more technologically oriented as a society, the ability to commit fraud through the use of someone's personal information increases, and so the threat (of identity theft) increases," RCMP Insp. Art Pittman was quoted in the Globe and Mail in 2009. With the downturn in the economy, the situation is only getting worse and criminals are now more desperate than ever.

There is some good news: In Canada, on Oct. 27, 2009, Bill S-4 was granted Royal Assent. The new law provides police and justice officials with vital new tools and powers to help better fight identity theft. The new law includes a better definition of identity crimes, stiffer fines and increased maximum sentences for criminals. The new law will also grant courts the power to order ID thieves compensate victims for money stolen or costs incurred in restoring their identities.

This law is an important step in raising awareness of, and fighting, identity theft, fraud and other white-collar crimes.

Identity theft happens to dozens of people every day in Canada.

  • Using existing credit cards or draining existing bank accounts
  • Setting up new credit card or bank accounts in your name
  • Taking out a home mortgage or personal loan in your name
  • Giving your Social Insurance Number to an employer
  • Selling your data on the international black market

It may take years, even decades, to fully regain control of your personal financial life once your identity has been compromised. The longer the theft goes unnoticed, the more difficult rehabilitation becomes.

>Protect your identity

The best thing you can do is prepare for the worst. Adopt preventative habits and monitor your accounts and credit reports. If an identity thief breaks in, you want to find out immediately. 

Protection Power offers  member resources, including proactive ID monitoring that can help you prevent, recognize and stop ID theft before it's too late.

>Common ways thieves steal identity:

 

  • Mailbox raiding
  • Garbage, recycling bin & dumpster diving
  • Phishing
  • Corporate data breach
  • Credit card theft
  • Credit card & debit card skimming
  • Computer intrusion
  • Spyware & adware
  • Social networking websites
  • Friends & family identity cloning
  • And more

>What can happen if my identity is stolen?

 

  • Ruined credit rating
  • Financial loss
  • Inability to secure future credit
  • Stress and emotional hardship
  • Loss of productivity
  • Sense of violation

ID theft is a serious, growing crime. Sign up for a Protection Power membership today and take control of your identity!

 

GET STARTED NOW!