Let us discuss identity theft issue
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Location: Canada-Glorious and Free
Posted on: 03-08-07 09:53:14
Quote:
Originally posted by web2000
There are no. of flaws in the system how the identity is recognized?
The biggest flaw is in the SIN which is used to get a credit card. SIN card does not carry any photograph and signature(Corect me if I am wrong). It cannot be used as an identity document. If not then how the creditors can issue a credit card against the SIN? Why do we care so much to hide just a number?
SIN is used by the credit rating companies like Equifax of Trans National to identify you in their system. It is also used by various Gov't institutions to identify you in their systems. So your medical records, your tax files, your credit score, your police records, your employment insurance history, your social assistance etc are all based on your SIN. Your SIN is protected by legislation - meaning only when required by law are you allowed to use the SIN as proof of identity. So any Gov't agency, organization or company that wants to use your SIN as an identifier has to apply under law to be allowed.
Of all my identitifiers, I protect my SIN the most. It is the basis of the rest of your identity.
BV
Location: Canada-Glorious and Free
Posted on: 03-08-07 10:11:04
because I do the reverse PIN all the time. LOL! My pin is the same forward or backward! 
But that brings out an important issue. The misconception around ID theft. Getting a robber to force you to withdraw money is NOT ID THEFT!
ID theft is when crooks can steal your identity and pretend to be you. And the simplest way people do this is to steal your garbage. We throw out so many pieces of paper with personal information on it that a deligent crook with a months worth of paper from your garbage can tell a lot of stuff about you.
The answer is a $ 100 shredder. then shred every paper with your name on it - especially bills, credit card offers, or gov't communications. Only papers to leave your house intact are the newspapers and flyers.
Do I sound paranoid? Maybe. But I have a friend who is fighting with a bank to prove that a $ 20k home equity loan was not theirs! That also had to change every bit of identity. And now has had to hire a lawyer to face litigation. No it is not pretty.
BV
As pointed out by 'Big Vee' that SIN is used by no. of agencies. That means your identity no. which we call as SIN is already distributed in no. of systems
So saying that you protect your SIN is totally wrong. Your SIN is already known to the following people:-
1)Employees working in Banks
2)Your accountants
3)Your employers
---and al those you mentioned. So don't think that all these people are honest.
What if your mail is not delivered by the postal service employee.
How would you ensure that these people will not misuse your SIN?
So, SIN which is a unique no.(Probably not 100% true. I have read where same SIN was assigned to more than one person. May be it was an error in the system) in the system should never be used to grant any credit.
It can be used to query the system. But altering any information has to go through more secure process. I will elaborate on this later.
Quote:
Originally posted by Big Vee
The answer is a $ 100 shredder. then shred every paper with your name on it - especially bills, credit card offers, or gov't communications. Only papers to leave your house intact are the newspapers and flyers.
BV
Yes, Shredder goes Long way.
Visit FAQ and other info at http://www.equifax.com/EFX_Canada/
******* How can I protect my identity? ******
*** Limit the potential for fraud while using a credit card
* When your credit cards are lost or stolen:
- Keep a list of the names, account numbers and the expiration dates of your cards in a safe place. This will aid you when alerting your credit grantors about a lost or stolen card.
- Call your credit grantors immediately upon discovering your cards are missing. Most have 24-hour toll-free numbers for this purpose. If you re-open the account, ensure they have your correct address.
* When using your credit cards:
- Carry only the identification and credit cards you need when traveling, whether locally or out of town.
- Do not carry your credit cards with your chequebook.
- If your chequebook is lost or stolen, call your bank. Inform them of the cheque numbers missing.
- Sign your credit cards in permanent ink as soon as you receive them.
- When making a purchase, keep your card in view at all times. Retrieve it as soon as the transaction is completed and make sure it is your card.
- Do not sign a blank charge slip.
- Always save your receipts, never leave them behind. Avoid saying your account number aloud if others can hear.
- Only provide your ID and credit card information over the phone to reputable companies where you have initiated the call.
- If you receive a call from someone claiming to represent your credit card issuer and the caller asks for your account number, do not provide it. If the caller is employed by the issuer, they will know your number.
If your Social Insurance Card is missing, contact your employer or your local Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) office immediately.
If your Driver's License is missing, contact your local driver and vehicle license issuing office. You should also report it to your local police.
* How to manage your credit card statements:
- Check your statement as soon as it arrives to ensure the charges are correct.
- Keep statements in a safe place. They contain sensitive information.
- Before discarding old statements, even of closed accounts, rip them into small pieces or shred them.
- If your statement does not arrive, call your credit card issuer.
** Limit the potential for fraud when using ATMs and PINs
- Shield your numbers while using the ATM.
- Never leave your receipts behind.
- Choose a PIN that is unique. Use a number other than your birthday, Social Insurance Number or other obvious number.
- Never write down your PIN in your chequebook or on your cards. It is best to memorize it.
** Limit the potential for fraud when using the mail service
- If your mail stops arriving, check with Canada Post. Sometimes a change of address is submitted by a fraud perpetrator in an attempt to get your mail, or steal your identity.
- If you apply for a new credit card and it does not arrive, contact the issuer.
****** What can I do if I suspect I am a victim of identity fraud? ******
If you have lost or had your personal identification stolen, or if an institution has contacted you regarding suspected fraud activity, please call Equifax toll-free at 1 800 465 7166 or 514 493 2314. We will add a statement to your file to alert credit grantors that you may be a victim of fraudulent activity.
This may mean that the next time you apply for credit, you may be questioned more thoroughly. The credit grantor wants to make sure that you are, in fact, the person you say you are. The additional questions that might come your way are asked because of the "fraud alert" on your file.
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Mumbai Maazi Ladki ...
I am interested in knowing more secure ways to protect the identity. web2000 can you elaborate more?
All the other "measures" about shredders and protecting your personal documents etc., I have heard every now and then, crooks are still able to steal identity. I am looking to find something out-of-the-box.
Quote:
Originally posted by Maharaj
Quote:
Originally posted by Big Vee
The answer is a $ 100 shredder. then shred every paper with your name on it - especially bills, credit card offers, or gov't communications. Only papers to leave your house intact are the newspapers and flyers.
BV
Yes, Shredder goes Long way.
Visit FAQ and other info at http://www.equifax.com/EFX_Canada/
******* How can I protect my identity? ******
*** Limit the potential for fraud while using a credit card
* When your credit cards are lost or stolen:
- Keep a list of the names, account numbers and the expiration dates of your cards in a safe place. This will aid you when alerting your credit grantors about a lost or stolen card.
- Call your credit grantors immediately upon discovering your cards are missing. Most have 24-hour toll-free numbers for this purpose. If you re-open the account, ensure they have your correct address.
* When using your credit cards:
- Carry only the identification and credit cards you need when traveling, whether locally or out of town.
- Do not carry your credit cards with your chequebook.
- If your chequebook is lost or stolen, call your bank. Inform them of the cheque numbers missing.
- Sign your credit cards in permanent ink as soon as you receive them.
- When making a purchase, keep your card in view at all times. Retrieve it as soon as the transaction is completed and make sure it is your card.
- Do not sign a blank charge slip.
- Always save your receipts, never leave them behind. Avoid saying your account number aloud if others can hear.
- Only provide your ID and credit card information over the phone to reputable companies where you have initiated the call.
- If you receive a call from someone claiming to represent your credit card issuer and the caller asks for your account number, do not provide it. If the caller is employed by the issuer, they will know your number.
If your Social Insurance Card is missing, contact your employer or your local Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) office immediately.
If your Driver's License is missing, contact your local driver and vehicle license issuing office. You should also report it to your local police.
* How to manage your credit card statements:
- Check your statement as soon as it arrives to ensure the charges are correct.
- Keep statements in a safe place. They contain sensitive information.
- Before discarding old statements, even of closed accounts, rip them into small pieces or shred them.
- If your statement does not arrive, call your credit card issuer.
** Limit the potential for fraud when using ATMs and PINs
- Shield your numbers while using the ATM.
- Never leave your receipts behind.
- Choose a PIN that is unique. Use a number other than your birthday, Social Insurance Number or other obvious number.
- Never write down your PIN in your chequebook or on your cards. It is best to memorize it.
** Limit the potential for fraud when using the mail service
- If your mail stops arriving, check with Canada Post. Sometimes a change of address is submitted by a fraud perpetrator in an attempt to get your mail, or steal your identity.
- If you apply for a new credit card and it does not arrive, contact the issuer.
****** What can I do if I suspect I am a victim of identity fraud? ******
If you have lost or had your personal identification stolen, or if an institution has contacted you regarding suspected fraud activity, please call Equifax toll-free at 1 800 465 7166 or 514 493 2314. We will add a statement to your file to alert credit grantors that you may be a victim of fraudulent activity.
This may mean that the next time you apply for credit, you may be questioned more thoroughly. The credit grantor wants to make sure that you are, in fact, the person you say you are. The additional questions that might come your way are asked because of the "fraud alert" on your file.
These are common points and can help reducing the ID theft. None of these provides fool proof protection.
The meaning of an agreement in these countries is totally useless. Based on my knowledge, here is the definition of an agreement:-
An agreement is nothing more than a piece of paper if not signed. It becomes a legal document when both parties involved must sign and exchange their copies.
There is no such agreement signed when we apply for a loan,credit card etc. In simple terms the bank is giving out the money without any signature of the debitor. How such a big mistake is being made?
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