Protect Your Identity

Tuesday, 7 January 2020 14:35

Oxford OPP is providing the public with some tips to help you from becoming the victim of Identity Theft or Fraud.

OXFORD COUNTY - Oxford OPP is providing the public with some tips to help you from becoming the victim of Identity Theft or Fraud.

Identity theft can happen by a criminal going through your garbage, mail theft or from Internet hackers. The criminals will also try to trick you into sending them your personal information through phishing emails, texts and phone calls.

Identity Theft can occur over the Internet, telephone, via fax or regular mail. You should be particularly cautious of unsolicited e-mails, text messages, telephone calls or mail attempting to extract personal or financial information from you. To protect yourself you should check your credit reports periodically. You should also check bank and credit card statements and report any irregularities promptly to the relevant financial institution and to the credit bureau.

Tips you should remember:

- During transactions, if you must hand over your card, never lose sight of it.
- Always shield your Personal Identification Number (PIN) when using an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or a PIN pad
- Never write your credit card number down on paper
- Shred personal and financial documents before putting them in the garbage

Criminals can use your stolen personal or financial information to:

- Access your computer/email
- Access your bank accounts
- Open new bank accounts
- Transfer bank balances
- Apply for loans, credit cards and other goods and services
- Make purchases
- Obtain passports or receive government benefits
- Hide their criminal activities

How to Protect Yourself:

Know what identity thieves are looking for, don't share that information and make use of the two step authentication method in order to access your devices. Use secure end to end encrypted web browsers, and contact your cell phone provider to request a (PIN) code that can be used to lock your Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card via settings.

Identity Thieves are looking for the following information:

- Social Insurance Numbers
- Passport number
- Date of birth
- Address
- Username and password for online services
- Driver's license number
- Mother's maiden name
- Credit card information
- Bank account numbers
- Signature

If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or report online at http://www.antifraudcentre.ca.