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Consumer
AdviceWhat is identity theft? |
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
Circulated by Bandoni
Media
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