by: NC

What is identity theft?
(NC)—Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal
information without your knowledge or consent to commit a crime,
such as fraud or theft.

Once they steal the information and manipulate it, identity thieves
can invade your personal and financial life. They can use stolen
identities to conduct spending sprees, open new bank accounts,
divert mail, apply for loans, credit cards, and social benefits,
rent apartments and even commit more serious crimes which, once
arrested, they pin on their new identity.


ID thieves get your personal information by:

• Stealing personal and private information from wallets, purses,
mail, your home, vehicle, computer, and Web sites you've visited or
e-mails you've sent.

• Retrieving personal information in your garbage or recycling bin
by "dumpster diving".

• Posing as a creditor, landlord or employer to get a copy of your
credit report.

• Tampering with ATM and terminals at stores, which enables thieves
to read your debit or credit card number and PIN.

• Buying the information from a dishonest employee working where
personal and/or financial information is stored.

• Removing mail from your mailbox.

• Searching public sources, such as newspapers (obituaries), phone
books, and records open to the public (professional certifications).


For more information on how to protect yourself from ID theft, and
other common consumer scams, visit ConsumerInformation.ca . It's a
Web site created by federal, provincial, territorial governments and
their partners specifically to provide Canadians with convenient,
one-stop access to hundreds of objective, reliable, current consumer
information sources.

- News Canada

About the author:
News Canada