6 Ways to Help Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Written by Kelley Keehn

Wednesday, March 28th, 2018

6 Ways to Help Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Financial fraud cost Canadian victims more than $108 million in 2016, a 15% increase from a year ago. Only 5% of Canadians report when they've been victimized.

1 – Watch your mail or go digital

Make a list of all your bills and when they arrive. If some don't arrive, that could be a first warning sign that someone is diverting your mail.

2 – Check your credit report

If you see a loan, cell phone account or anything listed on your report that wasn't initiated by you, immediately contact Equifax.ca and TransUnion.ca.

3 – Lock up important documents in your home

Don't leave passports, investment applications, tax assessments, applications for your child's RESP around the house for the cleaning person, contractor or your house guests to see.

4 – Set up a pro-active credit alert on your file

Contact both Equifax® and TransUnion® — the two main credit reporting agencies in Canada — to set up an alert on your credit file. The cost is only $5 each and lasts 6 years. Provides an extra layer of security where the lender must call you before granting new credit. Equifax reports that customers who set up a fraud alert increased by 28% in 2016.

5 - Protect your PIN

Make sure you protect your PIN by changing it periodically; it should be something hard to guess but easy for you to remember. Don't write it down and don't share it with anyone.

6 – Don't carry more than you need in your wallet

Only credit card, debit card, driver's licence, health care card and list of medications. Leave everything else at home. Don't bring your Social Insurance Number card. For a list of who can ask you for your Social Insurance Number, see https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/sin/protect.html

Equifax is a registered trademark of Equifax Services Ltd.

TransUnion is a registered trademark of Trans Union LLC

Share now

Related posts

If You've Been Scammed Once, You Can Be Scammed Again
If You've Been Scammed Once, You Can Be Scammed Again
March 23rd, 2022 | Kelley Keehn
This year's mission? Fewer emissions
This year's mission? Fewer emissions
February 11th, 2022 | Sarah Lazarovic
Who's your hero? We asked, you answered
Who's your hero? We asked, you answered
December 14th, 2021 | Michael Weissman
Legal Stuff
This article or video (the “Content”), as applicable, is provided by independent third parties that are not affiliated with Tangerine Bank or any of its affiliates. Tangerine Bank and its affiliates neither endorse or approve nor are liable for any third party Content, or investment or financial loss arising from any use of such Content.
The Content is provided for general information and educational purposes only, is not intended to be relied upon as, or provide, personal financial, tax or investment advice and does not take into account the specific objectives, personal, financial, legal or tax situation, or particular circumstances and needs of any specific person. No information contained in the Content constitutes, or should be construed as, a recommendation, offer or solicitation by Tangerine to buy, hold or sell any security, financial product or instrument discussed therein or to follow any particular investment or financial strategy. In making your financial and investment decisions, you will consult with and rely upon your own advisors and will seek your own professional advice regarding the appropriateness of implementing strategies before taking action. Any information, data, opinions, views, advice, recommendations or other content provided by any third party are solely those of such third party and not of Tangerine Bank or its affiliates, and Tangerine Bank and its affiliates accept no liability in respect thereof and do not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of any information in the third party Content. Any information contained in the Content, including information related to interest rates, market conditions, tax rules, and other investment factors, is subject to change without notice, and neither Tangerine Bank nor its affiliates are responsible for updating this information.
Tangerine Investment Funds are managed by Tangerine Investment Management Inc. and are only available by opening an Investment Fund Account with Tangerine Investment Funds Limited. These firms are wholly owned subsidiaries of Tangerine Bank. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.