Minimize the Risk of ID Theft

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To minimize your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft, manage your personal information wisely and cautiously:

When someone asks for information, especially identification, ask why they need it and what they will use it for.
Buy a shredder and use it.
Shred anything with personal or financial information such as credit card receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, cheques, financial statements and old income tax returns.
Cut up expired and unused credit cards (the card may have expired, but the number could still be used).
Carry only the identification and credit card(s) you will need that day (you rarely need to carry your birth certificate, SIN card or passport).
Don’t fill in forms for contests, rebates or draws that ask for more information than you are prepared to give.
Lock your household mailbox if possible.
If you are going to be away, arrange for a trusted neighbour to pick up your mail (Note: You can also go to your local post office (with identification) and ask for Canada Post’s hold mail service. There will be a charge for this service.)
Use complex passwords on your credit card, financial and other accounts rather than easily available information like your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, parts of your phone number or a series of consecutive numbers.
Don’t leave personal information lying around at home, in your vehicle or at work.
Find out how your employer ensures your personal information remains private, how they store and dispose of it and who can see it.
Don’t give personal information to anyone who phones or e-mails you unless you know who they are (identity thieves may pose as representatives of financial institutions, Internet service providers or government agencies to get you to reveal identifying information).
Don’t put more than your name and address on your personal cheques.
Make sure unused vehicle license plates are not available for anyone else to use (you can return expired or unused Alberta plates to any registry agent).
Destroy your old vehicle registration certificate when you get your new one.

Minimize the Risk of ID Theft

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