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1 TopicIdentity Theft: Warning Signs and Reducing Risk
This article discusses Privacy and Security content originally published by TELUS Wise focusing on Identify Theft warning signs, minimizing the risk, and what to do if you suspect you’ve accidentally shared your info with scammers. Warning Signs Many victims of identity theft aren’t aware they’ve been victimized until they try applying for credit only to discover they don’t qualify despite a good credit score. If there's fraud happening, you can stop it. Keep an eye out for these warning signs: Bank or credit card transactions that are unfamiliar. Email/App/SMS Notifications from your bank informing you about changes to your account. You’re no longer receiving your usual mail/statements and instead getting new ones for accounts you didn’t sign up for. You’re getting calls about accounts and loans you’re not aware of. Your credit report is showing unusual activity such as new (or old) credit inquiries for accounts you never signed up for. Minimize Risk Scammers use all sorts of tricks to get your info but there are lots you can do to minimize your risk. Use strong passwords (think longer, complex, alpha-numeric, include random symbols, etc). Exercise extra caution when viewing emails that ask for your personal information. If it asks for your info, ignore the email and find the company’s contact information on their official website. Remember, if the email sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Set up a separate email address for financial services. When online shopping or making financial transactions, ensure the website is secure. Factory reset any device you sell or giveaway. Do not input personal information over a public Wi-Fi connection. Minimize how much personal information you share online (it can used to answer security questions or guess your passwords or pretend to be you to scam people you know and more.) Next Steps There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to identity theft but here are a few suggestions to get you started. Consider using any of the following as your next step: Contact your local police department non-emergency line and file a report. Report it to your bank or financial institution. Contact both national credit bureaus and 1) request a copy of your credit report 2) place a fraud alert on your file Equifax Canada: 1-800-465-7166 TransUnion Canada: 1-877-525-3823 Report fraud on the Canada Anti-fraud Centre website. It’s also a great resource for information on scams affecting Canadians. Your safety matters to us. Because scammers never stop, we're dedicated to providing you with information on the latest tactics used by them so that you can stay informed. For more on various scams and how to protect yourself, explore these other articles: Prize/Promotion Scams Call Related Scams Brand Impersonation Scams Digital/Online Scams FR Version508Views0likes0Comments
