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Consumer AdviceWhat is identity
theft? |
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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
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