How to Report Identity Theft in Canada

Millions of people every year become victims of identity theft. The fastest growing crime in America has also become one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada. Unfortunately, victims often don't know what to do when they realize they have fallen prey to identity thieves. Here are the steps to take to report identity theft in Canada.

Things You'll Need

• Bank and credit card statements Phone Notepad and pen

Instructions

Steps to Report Identity Theft in Canada

1. Contact your local police and file a report. Local law enforcement is still the first agency to handle an identity theft investigation. Be sure to write down the police report number. You will need to give it to your bank, credit card companies, and other businesses and organizations you will have to deal with.

2. Call your financial institutions. As soon as you notice the theft, call your banking institutions and credit card companies to report the theft. Close any compromised accounts, and ask fraud alerts to be placed on all other accounts. Have your cards canceled and have new ones issued.

3. Notify Canada's three main credit agencies: TransUnion Canada, Equifax Canada, and Northern Credit Bureau. Ask each agency to send you a copy of your credit report so you can make sure there is nothing else amiss. Be sure to have each of them place a fraud alert on your credit file as well.

4. Call 1-800-O-Canada to replace your ID cards, including your health card, driver's license, and social insurance number card. Do this even if those cards haven't been lost or stolen. Once a thief has some of your information, it's not hard to get the rest. A little inconvenience now will save a lot of hassle later.

5. Contact every agency or business on whom the fraud was perpetrated. Ask them to open investigations and close any accounts that may have been fraudulently opened or used. Find out what their policies are regarding identity theft so that you can minimize your liability.

6. Keep meticulous records. In addition to records of every instance of fraud, you should have records of every phone call, e-mail, and conversation you have with police, financial institutions, and businesses throughout this process. Reporting and clearing up identity theft is a long process and you will forget who you have talked to and when. Thorough records will simplify the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a folder with all of the information you collect throughout the process. Having everything in one place will reduce your stress. Be sure to file a report with Phonebusters. Phonebusters provides advice to victims of identity theft, as well as tracking ID theft statistics.

• Never give out your personal information to someone who calls you. Your credit card companies will not ask you for your information when they call. People have been victimized by opportunistic thieves masquerading as fraud departments for credit card companies.

References

• Consumer Measures Committee

Resources

• Phonebusters