with access to privileged information. Info such as personnel records, payroll information, insurance files, account numbers or sales records can be great help to any identity thief.

7. Online data

Although most identity thefts occur through traditional methods, such as the ones outlined above, risks still exist online. Be cautious when sending information electronically. Account information sent through email, or online chat, can easily be intercepted by thieves.

Identity thieves can use everyday items such as your driver’s license or Social Insurance Number to assume your identity and:

Open new bank accounts and write bad cheques.

Establish new credit card accounts and not pay bills.

Obtain personal or car loans.

Get cash advances.

Set up cellular phones or utility services and run up bills.

Change your credit card mailing address and make charges on your existing accounts.

Obtain employment.

Rent an apartment but avoid the payments and get evicted.

HOW TO PREVENT IT In many cases involving identity theft, months pass before the victim is aware of any wrongdoing. Simply monitoring your credit card and account statements on a weekly basis can greatly decrease your identity theft risk. In fact, the majority of identity theft crimes are self-detected. And according to a recent report by the Better Business Bureau assessing accounts online provides earlier identity theft detection compared to monitoring monthly paper statements and bills.

1. Use credit and debit cards safely

Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.

Cancel all inactive credit card accounts.

When using your credit card do not volunteer any personal information.

If you’ve applied for a credit card and have not received the card in a timely manner, immediately notify the appropriate financial institution.

Closely monitor the expiration date on your credit cards.

IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft is the unauthorized collection and use of your personal information, usually for criminal purposes. It is one of the fastest growing crimes and can take several months to detect.

HOW IT HAPPENS

Identity theft can occur in a number of different ways. If you know what to look for and how it happens, you can minimize your overall risk.

How identity thieves obtain your personal information:

1. Lost/stolen wallet or cheque book

The most commonly reported source of information used to commit fraud is a lost or stolen wallet or cheque book. Stolen wallets and cheque books usually contain a number of credit and debit cards, in addition to other personal documentation.

2. Dumpster diving

Thieves rummage through trash cans for pieces of non-shredded personal information that they can use or sell.

3. Mail theft

Crooks search mailboxes for pre-approved credit offers, bank statements, tax forms or convenience cheques. They also look for credit card payment envelopes that have been left for postal carrier pick-up.

4. Imposters

Many have fallen victim to identity theft by individuals who fraudulently posed as someone who had a legitimate or legal reason to access the victim’s personal information (e.g. a landlord or employer asking for background information).

5. Documents in the home

Unfortunately, identity thieves can gain legitimate access into someone’s home and personal information through household work, babysitting, healthcare, friends or roommates.

6. Inside sources

Half of all identity fraud is committed by friends, family members, relatives, employees, and live-in caregivers

Contact the credit issuer if the replacement card is not received prior to your credit card’s expiration date.

Sign all new credit cards upon receipt.

2. Safeguard personal information

Request electronic versions of bills, statements, and cheques instead of paper.

Sign up for direct deposit of payroll to prevent paper cheques from ending up in the wrong hands.

Shred all personal and financial information such as bills, bank statements, ATM receipts and credit card offers before you discard them.

Keep your personal documentation (e.g. birth certificate, Social Insurance card, etc.) and your bank and credit card records in a secure place.

Limit the personal information that you carry in your wallet or purse.

Do not give your Social Insurance Number, credit card number, or any bank account details over the phone unless you have initiated the call and know that the business that you are dealing with is reputable.

Do not disclose bank account numbers, credit card account numbers and other personal financial data on any website or online service location, unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.

Do not allow mail to go uncollected. Retrieve it promptly.

Memorize your numbers and/or passwords. Do not write your Social Insurance Number or passwords on paper and store them in your wallet or purse.

Avoid leaving envelopes containing your credit card payments or cheques in your home mailbox for postal carrier pickup.

Prior to discarding a computer, make sure all personal information is deleted from its hard drive.

Take receipts at ATMs, bank counters, or unattended gasoline pumps with you.

Use passwords on your credit cards, bank accounts and phone cards.

Review your credit reports annually.

Be aware of your surroundings when entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN) at an ATM.

Frequently monitor your account activity, such as balances and withdrawals.

Make sure to take receipts with you after your purchase.

IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU

SMI will cover you for the expenses you incur to reclaim your identity.

Contact the police immediately. Ask the police for a copy of their report as proof of the theft for other companies and businesses that may need it to help re-establish your identity. Contact the RCMP Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Contact your financial institutions and credit card companies and ask them to flag your accounts about the identity theft. Cancel any debit or credit cards and have them re-issued.

Contact Canada Post if you think your mail is being re-directed.

Obtain a new Health Card, Social Insurance Number and driver’s license.

Document the steps you take and the expenses you incur as you clear your name.

Contact your independent insurance broker to report your loss.

Identity

Theft

www.saskmutual.com

BROKER:

M233 (08/18)

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IDENITY THEFT VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES

Canadian Anti-Fraud www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

Consumer Measures Committee www.cmcweb.ca

RCMP www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/id-theft-vol-eng.htm

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada www.priv.gc.ca/en/

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca

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Ph: (306) 653-4232 Fx: (306) 653-3260

1-800-667-3067

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