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Canadian Identity Theft

Identity theft is common and widespread across Canada. Below is a quick overview of some of the most popular types of theft in identity across the nation. For those who are unaware, identity theft is a crime whereby your legal documentation gets stolen and exploited in a harmful way. With recent developments in technology, identity theft is becoming an increasing concern as criminals are finding new and innovative ways to victimize their prey. Here are the types of identity theft to watch out for.

Identification Theft

If your personal identification documents were recently stolen, you may be a victim of identity theft. Criminals commonly use these stolen documents to commit crime and if traced, will lead back to you and not the real lawbreaker. If any of your documentation is missing, you should immediately report the incident to authorities so that you can not be held criminally responsible for any actions of the perpetrator.

Hacking

Modern society and the internet era houses a massive number of accounts, transactions and information that is readily available online. Hackers, those who are technologically savvy, are able to manipulate software to commit a vast array of crimes under the guise of your name. In order to protect yourself, you should purchase and install the best firewalls and antivirus protection across all of your internet enabled devices. Only trust reputable sources with your personal information and never share your banking information with anyone. The same logic applies to all passwords and private information that you may share online.

Credit Card Theft

Credit card theft is one of the most common types of identity theft that persists in Canada. Assailants steal other people’s credit card information and use it to purchase goods and services under their victim’s credit. Perpetrators commonly exploit a magnetic strip on the cards, digitally copying the information. The most effective defensive against this type of identity theft is to keep your credit cards safe and protected at all times. If you have any doubts as the safety of your credit cards, contact your credit card company and they will be happy to share best practices and safety information with you.

Phishing

Phishing is a fraudulent technique designed to get you to give up your personal information. A common example is when a website masquerades as a legitimate business and elicits your bank account information. After the provision of the information, your account becomes vulnerable to attack. To avoid this type of victimization, ensure that all companies/websites you deal with online are legitimate and registered with relevant authorities. Also, you should never provide your information to anyone you do not know and trust.