Who Am I?

I have been paying a bit more attention to identity theft lately. We have had a few issues on this front. One issue involved debit card fraud and another involved PayPal.

This story on identity theft is an absolute nightmare. And the scary part is that it could easily happen to you and me.

The following guidelines come from the RCMP’s site on identity theft.

• Sign all credit cards when you receive them
• Never loan your credit cards to anyone
• Cancel credit cards you do not use and keep a list of the ones you use regularly
• Immediately report lost or stolen credit cards and any discrepancies in your monthly statements to the issuing credit card company
• Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank wickets, in trashcans, or at unattended gasoline pumps; ensure you destroy paperwork you no longer need
• Never provide personal information such as SIN, date of birth, credit card numbers, or PIN over the telephone unless you initiate the call
• Promptly remove mail from your ”˜secure”™ mailbox after delivery and do not leave pieces of mail lying around your residence or work site
• Shred or otherwise destroy pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, bills and related information when no longer needed
• Avoid keeping a written record of your bank PIN number(s), social insurance number and computer passwords, and never keep this information in your wallet or hand bag
• Avoid mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions or surveys offering instant prizes or awards designed for the purpose of obtaining your personal details including credit card numbers