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Welcome everyone!!
In this wall I will explain what is identity thief, what happens when identity thief occurs and what are ways we can better protect our identity. I will also be providing real life examples of Canadians who have got their personal information stolen.

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Summary:
Identity theft is a serious crime where our personal information has been compromised by an imposter who tends to create fraud under your name. In this video, it explains what is identity theft and the severity of the outcome if you end up being a victim of one. It shows the number of ways identity theft can occur and ways we can do to protect ourselves.

Why Did I choose this video:
I chose this video because it did a great job of explaining what identity theft is. I liked how they showed the woman not being aware of being a victim of identity theft because most people usually have no idea they are victims until they are on the hook to pay some large balances.

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Summary:
This video showcased a woman who had her identity stolen 3 times where the person was able to have access to her bank account after she called the bank and changed her cards. After the first incident, she had to fight with the bank to keep her account safe and had put in measures to protect her account.

Why Did I choose this video:
I chose this video because I wanted to showcase how important it is that even if you change your information, your personal information and accounts are still not safe. It was alarming to see such a big Canadian bank not keep her account safe.

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RBC customer’s bank accounts looted 3 times by identity thieves

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Summary:
This video shows how many Canadians were able to steal many people identity and personal information by a simple low interest credit card scam. CBC was able to track down the names of those people and inform them that their personal information was compromised. This interview elaborates how easily identity theft can occur and question how can the government better protect Canadians. The video also talks about how flawed our preventive measures are when it comes to scams such as credit/fraud alerts not alerting all of the information on your credit report.

Why Did I choose this video:
I chose this video because this interview gave Canadians real life examples how someone can easily take your identity and then can use that to open other accounts or defraud others. I found this interview quite informative because it shows even though Canadians can take the extra steps to protect themselves, there is still cracks where identity theft can still occur.

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Identity theft: How criminals use a low-interest credit card scam to steal from you (Marketplace)

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Summary:
This video showcases a Canadian who was denied CERB payments because she had her identity stolen where the government notified her that she had an application for EI benefit for a job she didn't have. Another Canadian woman also had an application made where a cheque was deposited but did not apply for the benefits at all.

Why Did I choose this video:
I chose this video because these CERB and EI payments are through the government and it was sad to see that anyone with your personal information can just go and apply to these government benefits and get a cheque that easy. It just goes to show how easily this can be done and just about to anyone.

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Hundreds denied CERB payments because of identity theft

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Summary:
A 26 year old Toronto woman was charged for allegedly stealing 20 identities in 2017. Police say she was a professional fraudster. One of the identities she stole was a 24 year old woman from Mississauga who first noticed she could not get into her RBC online banking. She notified the bank and she was told to come in. From there she was told she had money withdrawn from her account The alleged fraudster went as far as changing all of the young woman's accounts including social media. However, after finding she was a victim of identity theft the bank refunded her the money but she was still on the hook to rebuild her destroyed credit.

Why Did I choose this website:
I chose this article because I was astonished to read that the lady who's information was compromised and who did not give out her personal information was on the hook for a low credit score rating. Although I am happy she got her money back from RBC, it was still alarming to read she had to rebuild her credit score. This happened in Toronto and just shows it can happen anywhere even in Canada.

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Police say she is one of the most prolific identity thieves they've recently encountered.

They say 26-year-old Deborah Oguntoyinbo, of Toronto, has left a trail of shattered lives and destroyed credit profiles.

A CBC News investigation has uncovered details about Oguntoyinbo, who is currently facing more than 50 fraud-related charges in Toronto as well as nearby York, Peel and Halton regions, according to court records.

The charges relate to the alleged thefts of identities belonging to at least 20 people since 2017 alone.

But there could be more, York Regional Police Sgt. Andy Pattenden told CBC News.

"She definitely would be considered a professional fraudster, knows what she's doing and [is] quite prolific," he said. "She's really been all over the [Greater Toronto Area]."

Police services across the Toronto area are still piecing together the extent of her alleged crimes.

Money withdrawn, passwords reset

Oguntoyinbo's latest arrest came on June 29, when police allege she tried to flee a luxury condominium complex in Markham, north of Toronto, after being suspected of fraud.

York Region Police allege Oguntoyinbo tried to rent the condo using the name Natalia Bozic, and have charged her with using a forged certified cheque and a false identity.

Bozic, 24, a self-employed esthetician from Mississauga, Ont., says that someone used her personal information to get into her bank account, apply for loans and credit cards, change all her passwords and wreak havoc on her life.

She says she first noticed something was amiss when she couldn't log in to her RBC online banking account this past summer.

"It was June 10th, and it told me to call the phone number listed. So I called them, and they told me to come into the bank."

The bank told her $1,200 was stolen from her account.

That was just the beginning.

"They investigated and they put my account on freeze," she said, and assured her "nobody can put money in and nobody can take money out."

Yet, two days later someone walked into an RBC branch on Don Mills Rd. in Toronto and passed a teller a fake driver's licence with Bozic's name and correct licence number.

Bozic said the RBC teller issued the person a new bank card linked to Bozic's bank account.

Bozic believes the bank also provided the person her social insurance number.

That's when the alleged crimes became more brazen and widespread.

Someone "reset passwords, reset security questions, reset my phone to a new phone number, created a new email address so I don't get notified my [banking] password changed."

Twice more, money was drained from Bozic's account. Some was sent to a bank account in Vancouver. In all, about $4,000 went missing, according to bank records.

Over the next five days, someone using Bozic's driver's licence and SIN applied for at least 20 bank loans, car loans and credit cards from financial institutions across the country.

On June 17, someone accessed her Fido mobile phone account. Her phone number was changed, new phones were purchased, and Bozic was billed $2,000.

Someone also changed the passwords to her social media accounts.

Then, on June 19, Bozic received a letter from Scotiabank.

"It said, congratulations, I had leased a Range Rover," she said.

"Well, I was just thinking, what's next?" Bozic said. "They have my SIN number for life, they have my driver's licence for life. They have all the stuff to keep it going."

Dozens of fraud charges

Police in at least four Toronto-area jurisdictions have filed identity theft-related charges against Oguntoyinbo.

Peel police, just west of Toronto, wouldn't comment on their investigation. But court records reveal Oguntoyinbo is accused of stealing the identities of two people there.

Police in Halton, further west, have accused her of stealing the identities of 11 people.

Toronto police say they have two outstanding arrest warrants for Oguntoyinbo in connection with the thefts of two identities and other frauds.

In York region, north of Toronto, police allege she stole four identities.

As part of their most recent investigation, York Regional Police obtained a search warrant for a condo complex at 50 Forest Manor Rd. in Toronto.

Inside the 22nd-floor condo investigators found printers and paper stock they say Oguntoyinbo used to create fake certified cheques using others' names.

She allegedly used some of those cheques to buy a Mercedes Benz and a BMW.

They also seized numerous forged drivers' licences, social insurance numbers and passports in the names of other people.

What we know about Deborah Oguntoyinbo

In 2017, Oguntoyinbo was charged with 19 fraud-related offences. She was sentenced to jail twice, the harshest sentence being 90 days.

She is currently behind bars as the latest round of charges work their way through court systems in the four jurisdictions.

Her only online presence appears to be photos posted on the website starnow.ca, a site used by actors, models and musicians looking for work.

According to federal bankruptcy records and provincial databases Oguntoyinbo has no assets or liens registered in her name.

CBC News has learned police have a list of aliases they believe Oguntoyinbo has used to allegedly commit crimes.

They include:

Debra Omolade Oguntoyinbo

Deborah Ololade Oguntoyinbo

Kayla Wright

Dzoya Trotman

Jessica Wright

Ashley Bailey

RBC concedes mistakes

RBC conceded it could have done a better job protecting Bozic's personal information.

The bank has refunded the money stolen from her account.

"We did acknowledge to Ms. Bozic that, in this instance, our in-branch protocols for verifying a client's identity were not adequately followed, and explained how we would prevent this from happening in the future," RBC spokesperson AJ Goodman wrote in an email to CBC News.

But the bank also said Bozic is partially to blame.

"We understand that this has been a difficult situation for Ms. Bozic and we regret the frustrations she experienced. Ms. Bozic was the victim of an account takeover after her mobile device was compromised," according to Goodman.

Bozic disputes that, pointing out her RBC bank account was hacked seven days before her mobile phone was compromised.

Bozic said she still has no idea how her online banking information was accessed; she said she's never lost her identification or been hacked before.

RBC has refused Bozic's request to provide her with credit monitoring services.

"They said they were sorry for what happened and that should be enough," according to Bozic.

RBC declined to answer specific questions about why it won't offer Bozic any future protection.

Bozic said the situation has destroyed her credit rating. She was recently declined when she applied for a mortgage. Her once strong credit rating is no more.

She also wonders if, or when, her identity might be misused again..

She has since switched banks and said she'll have to check with credit bureaus every year to see if someone continues to fraudulently apply for loans in her name.

"I have to try and figure out if my information matches with their information," she said. "And if it doesn't, I'm screwed."

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This woman is a professional and prolific identity thief, say police | CBC News

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Police say she is one of the most prolific identity thieves they've recently encountered. They say 26-year-old Deborah Oguntoyinbo, of Toronto, has left a trail of shattered lives and destroyed credit profiles. A CBC News investigation has uncovered details about Oguntoyinbo, who is currently facing more than 50 fraud-related charges in Toronto as well as nearby York, Peel and Halton regions, according to court records.

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Summary:
This article went over the statistics how Gen Z's are less concerned about fraud and identity theft compared to other ages. It provided a survey of all age groups on how often they are checking their statements and credit reports. It gave an overall statistics how Canadians are feeling about frauds and stated ways to prevent personal information being stolen such as passwords being changed frequently.

Why Did I choose this website:
After reading this article, I was surprised by the statistics about Gen Z's are less concerned about identity theft.  I feel like this can happen to anyone and it can impact their future. I felt this article showcased how we need to start educating the younger generation about frauds/scams and how it can happen to them as well. As a parent this was an interesting read to start a discussion in my own home as well.  From this article I learned that March is considered to be fraud prevention month.

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TORONTO, March 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While most Canadians agree (90 per cent) that fraud and identity theft is a serious issue, Gen Z (adults aged 18-24) are more likely to say that identity theft is not likely to happen to them (29 per cent versus 16 per cent of the general population) according to a recent consumer survey conducted by Equifax Canada in advance of Fraud Prevention Month.

Only 75 per cent of Gen Z agree that fraud and identity theft is a serious issue. They are also less likely to agree compared to their older counterparts when it comes to statements like companies need to do a better job in protecting their personal information (68 per cent versus 88 per cent), that they have responsibility to protect their personal information (71 per cent versus 87 cent), and that governments should increase penalties for fraud and identity theft (68 per cent versus 86 per cent). They are also significantly less likely to agree that the government needs to do a better job educating people about ways to protect their personal information (73 per cent versus 83 per cent of the general population).

"Regardless of age, most people want their government to do a better job educating about fraud and identity theft," said Julie Kuzmic, Equifax Canada's Senior Compliance Officer, Consumer Advocacy. "It's very clear that better communication is needed to warn younger generations about the dangers associated with fraud and identity theft. Criminals engaged in this type of crime can be quick to prey upon people who don't have their defenses up. All generations and companies of all sizes should be doing their utmost to prevent and detect these crimes. One of the best ways for consumers to do this is to routinely check their credit reports for any suspicious activity. You can request a free copy of your Equifax credit report by phone, mail, in person, and online."

STOPPING FRAUD BEFORE IT HAPPENS
The survey findings also make it clear that fear and vulnerability are stronger for older generations whether it's online, on-the-go, at home or in-store. Importantly, there is substantial recognition that you can be quite vulnerable online, which is consistent across the generations. Gen Z, however, is once again less concerned and significantly less likely to take steps to prevent fraud before it happens.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way Canadians work, learn, shop, and interact, 70 per cent say they are screening their calls more to avoid calls from fraudsters (63 per cent say they're receiving these calls more frequently). A similar number (69 per cent) are reviewing their credit card and bank statements more closely for signs of fraud, with women, those aged 55+, and Quebecers significantly more likely to say this. Half (53 per cent) are changing their online passwords more often and roughly four-in-ten are checking their credit reports more (45 per cent). Quebecers are significantly more likely to have checked their credit reports more, are less likely to have screened their calls, feel they are getting more fraudulent calls, and feel more at risk to fraud and identity thieves compared to those in the rest of Canada.

Two-factor authentication (a method of verifying a person's identity by using an additional factor such as sending a PIN via email or text) is becoming more popular with 35 per cent of consumers using it now versus 26 per cent two years ago. Nearly eight-in-ten (78 per cent) say they would be more likely to choose an organization/retailer that used multiple steps to protect their information, although half as many (34 per cent) would prefer an organization/retailer that had fewer steps to verify who they are, especially men and those under age 55.

KNOWING WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO GET INFORMATION
While most Canadians (77 per cent) are taking multiple steps to protect their personal information, more than half wouldn't know what to do (56 per cent) if there was fraud committed in their name. Two-thirds (63 per cent) of Canadians get advice about how to protect their personal information from at least one source (39 per cent check out two or more) with using banks (33 per cent) and credit card companies (27 per cent) as their source of information, slightly ahead of other experts. Two-in-ten currently get this information from credit bureaus such as Equifax (20 per cent), or from mainstream media (19 per cent). Quebecers are twice as likely to get advice about protection of personal information from credit bureaus (32 per cent versus 16 per cent in the rest of Canada). Gen Z is also less likely to turn to credit bureaus for information about how to protect their personal information.

"It's encouraging to see more people recognizing the need to better protect their personal information," said Kuzmic. "It can be as simple as creating a monthly reminder to change your passwords, double-checking financial statements, and shredding those documents versus putting them in the recycling where a dumpster diver could find them. Consumers seem to be realizing it's in their interest to play a more active role in protecting their personal data."

To that end, just over half (53 per cent) of the survey respondents believe it's reasonable that their bank would no longer protect them from any type of fraud if they have shared their banking passwords and 35 per cent admit they have accidentally clicked on a fraudulent link through email or text.

"Criminals are often waiting to take advantage of you and it's important to take steps to protect your personal information," added Kuzmic. "Consumers who are concerned about identity theft can always contact us to place a free identity alert on their Equifax credit report."

More tips on ways to help protect your personal information can be found on the company's website at: https://www.consumer.equifax.ca/personal/education/identity/. Consumers wishing to place an alert on their Equifax credit report can learn how to do so on our website at: https://www.consumer.equifax.ca/personal/education/identity/how-can-i-place-a-fraud-alert-on-my-equifax-credit-report/.

Equifax surveyed 1,537 Canadians ages 18-65, Feb. 11-13. A probability sample of the
Media Contacts: same size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.
About Equifax
At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by more than 13,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit .

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Gen Z less concerned about fraud and identity theft according to Equifax Canada survey

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TORONTO, March 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While most Canadians agree (90 per cent) that fraud and identity theft is a serious issue, Gen Z (adults aged 18-24) are more likely to say that identity theft is not likely to happen to them (29 per cent versus 16 per cent of the general population) according to a recent consumer survey conducted by Equifax Canada in advance of Fraud Prevention Month.

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Summary:
This article states how ID theft has nearly doubled during the pandemic. It gives examples of how someone can easily drain your bank account or deposit cheques without you knowing. As technology advances it states how easily retrieving passwords can be and then selling them in the dark web.

Why Did I choose this website:
I chose this article because these types of scams have become common during the pandemic. I feel a lot of people can relate to this article because most people are moving towards online banking and the article states that banks are vulnerable to scams.

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ID theft's been growing in leaps and bounds in Canada during the pandemic. And investors may need to step up their efforts to protect themselves in the online era: where financial information is more vulnerable than ever to fraud.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), during the three years preceding Covid, reports of ID fraud were quite stable at around 9,500. Then, in 2020, that average exploded to 17,377. And 2021 could double that.

More Data, More Fraud

The rise of ID theft "is mostly linked to the CERB (Canadian Emergency Response Benefit) program, explains Jeff Horncastle, supervisor, fraud prevention and intake unit, at the CAFC. "Criminals would log into their victim's account to pick up their benefit and deposit the money into some other bank account. Usually, victims wouldn't know about it until they received their year-end tax forms."

ID theft is a subcategory of fraud, with the difference that it is "personalized". "Fraudsters steal your personal identifiers (driver's license number, social insurance number, passwords), allowing them to transact while pretending to be you, says Karen Wallace, director of investor education at Morningstar. They can buy clothes and furniture, invest money. It happened to me: someone filed a tax report with my social security number. Luckily, the government alerted me that someone had tried to hack my account."

How it Happens

ID theft can be brutal: you go to your online banking account and, lo and behold, it has been drained. You didn't see it coming. It's insidious and may not have set off any alarms until then.

Most often, it happens unknown to you in the background for a few weeks or months. Then bam! It all unravels: you get a call from your credit card issuer because you have an unpaid balance of $25,000 (while your credit limit is only $10,000!) or your bank denies you a loan because your credit rating is too low (while you've always prided yourself in having an impeccable score).

When "bam!" happens, "it's because things have been going on in your back for some time," explains Julie Kuzmic, director of consumer advocacy at Equifax Canada, illustrating her point thus. Some ill-intentioned individual picked up a few identifiers from your wallet that you have left unattended. He calls a bank to get a new credit card, identifies himself as you, uses a few identifiers to confirm his "identity", except for one last detail: he has the card sent to another address. At the outset, he uses the card very prudently, pays his bills on time, solidifies his creditworthiness, and then asks to increase the credit limit on the card. That's when he maxes out the card - and disappears. Then, inevitably, bam: the bank calls you, asking you when you intend to pay an outstanding balance of $25,000 on purchases you never heard of.

Password Markets

However, with ID theft moving increasingly online, passwords become crucial identifiers, "what scammers are increasingly after," notes Horncastle. In the digital world, financial information is more than ever vulnerable to fraud. With just the relevant password, scammers can get access to all your financial accounts and wipe you clean. And the market for identifiers and passwords is, of course, the Web itself, more specifically the dark web points out Wallace. "The fresher the data, the higher the price fetched," she says.

Individuals should be on the lookout for early warning signs of potential fraud. For example, not receiving some bills through the mail, a merchant refusing your check, seeing withdrawals on your bank account that you can't explain, receiving bills from service providers you have never been in contact with.

Dos and Don'ts

The experts we talked to suggest addressing a few things to avoid falling into a fraudster's crosshairs:

1. Protect your computer with up-to-date virus and malware protection and don't respond to any online solicitation that seems suspect, like urgent-looking messages that claim that your computer is infected with viruses.

2. Create strong and diverse passwords. A key trick is to start from a word that is easy to remember for you, let's say "solicitation" and transforming into "shollichittashon", a term no computer sniffer armed with a dictionary can identify, and then add a few unusual characters to it: "!shollichit?tashon333". And wherever it's possible, resort to multi-factor authentication.

3. Be frugal in the personal information you share over social media (email address, children's names, birth dates). This is all material thieves can use to try and bait you into scams and phishing attempts.

4. Beware of public wi-fi, a favoured hunting ground for fraudsters. Certainly don't carry out any financial transactions, because these public networks are typically not secured.

5. Ensure you're regularly reviewing your transactions, especially your credit card bill, for any unauthorized activity.

6. Safeguard personal information in your home, especially if you have service workers come in.

7. Protect your mail and shred documents containing sensitive personal identifiers: credit card bills, bank cheques and statements, pre-approved credit applications.

8. It seems needless to say, but it happens... Don't leave your wallet or purse lying around outside. Ever. Scammers don't just rob your credit card - something easily repaired. They rob the credit identifiers you've built with your card - something much more difficult to repair.

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Canadian ID Theft Nearly Doubles in Pandemic

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ID theft's been growing in leaps and bounds in Canada during the pandemic. And investors may need to step up their efforts to protect themselves in the online era: where financial information is more vulnerable than ever to fraud.

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Summary:
This website gives detail scams that have been going on through the pandemic to steal personal information. It gives also the number of reports and amount of money that was frauded recently.

Why Did I choose this website:
It was great to see that the government of Canada is doing something to try to track the number of scams and reports that was made through the pandemic. I liked how this website gave detailed explanations about each scam through the pandemic and ways to better protect your identity and how to report if you have become a victim of these scams.

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On this page

Current scams

There are a number of reported scams related to COVID-19.
Listing of known COVID-19 scams
ArriveCan fraud

Be cautious of third party, fraudulent webpages and apps that may be posing as ArriveCAN and asking you for payment. ArriveCAN is free and secure and is the official Government of Canada platform to provide your information when entering Canada.

COVID-19 vaccines frauds and scams

Do not buy COVID-19 vaccines online or from unauthorized sources. The only way to access safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is through clinics organized or endorsed by your local public health authority in collaboration with Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments. Learn about vaccines that are approved for use in Canada.

If you have information about fraudulent vaccines, please report them to Health Canada through our online complaints form.

CERB and CESB payment scams

We will not reach out by text or email to ask you to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), and we will not notify you by text or email that you have received a payment.

The CERB and CESB are now closed to applications. You can no longer apply for these benefits.

CERB and CESB repayment scams

Beware of fraudulent emails, texts or calls about repaying the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or repaying the Canada Emergency Student Benefit. There are official ways to make a repayment.

When a scammer contacts you

If someone says they are from the Government

Many frauds and scams attempt to mimic real federal government services to gain access to your personal and financial information.

If someone says they are from a financial institution

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is warning Canadians to be very cautious when receiving emails or text messages that appear to be from a financial institution asking for personal or financial information.
Financial institution fraudulent call
Reporting a fraud or scam

If you or a family member have been contacted by a scammer, report it to us - even if you didn't give them any money.

Protecting your identity and technology

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security offers the tips to cyber-healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

False and misleading claims

Health Canada is working with companies, academic research centres and investigators globally to help expedite the development and availability of treatments to prevent and treat COVID-19. Learn more about Drugs and vaccines being developed or authorized for COVID-19.

Claims to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19

Selling unauthorized health products like drugs, medical devices and natural health products or making false or misleading claims to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19 is illegal in Canada. Find out how to report and see incidents that have been investigated.
Health product advertising incidents related to COVID-19
Choosing the right disinfectant

Health Canada has a frequently updated list of hard surface disinfectant and hand sanitizers that are likely to be effective for use against COVID-19.
List of disinfectants with evidence for use against COVID-19
Exposure to electromagnetic fields

Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from 5G devices doesn't spread COVID-19. There is no scientific basis behind these claims.
Health effects of cell phones, cell phone towers, antennas and 5G devices

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There are a number of reported scams related to COVID-19. Listing of known COVID-19 scams Be cautious of third party, fraudulent webpages and apps that may be posing as ArriveCAN and asking you for payment. ArriveCAN is free and secure and is the official Government of Canada platform to provide your information when entering Canada.

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Summary:
This is an overview of statistics surveyed on how millennials feel about identity theft and their lack of knowledge to ways on how to protect their personal information.

Why Did I choose this image:
I chose this image because it was quite surprising to see the percentages of millennials when in this day most millennials are tech savvy and social media and technology has made it easier to access personal information.

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1. What did you learn about your topic that surprised you the most?
I learned how easily personal information can be stolen or compromised such as people fishing through garbage's to get your mail. I did not think i should shred my mail as I thought people wouldn't go through paper statements. I also was surprised to see very little preventive measures being in place from the government and banks to ensure consumer safety. It was surprising to see the severity how it can affect your life and that your personal information can be re purchased on the dark web over and over again.

2. Provide a real-life example of how this topic is relevant or interesting for you.
This topic is relevant to me because I did end up losing my wallet years ago and I thought I was protected so long as I notified my bank and set up these credit and fraud alerts through Equifax and Transunion. To find out through news videos that Canadians like myself are not protected was quite surprising and a bit scary. This topic has now made me try to be more diligent to constantly check my credit report.

3. If you could pass on your knowledge to a family member or friend, what do you think is the most important thing to pass on?
I would let others know to shred any mail pertaining your personal information on it. I would let family and friends know that they should look into their bank accounts and statements very closely and frequently. I would also suggest people to start being aware of their social media activity where they are not disclosing personal information on their social media pages.

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Summary:
This is a consumer report on the number of reports made to the government from consumers in 2020.

Why Did I choose this image:
As there are many scams being developed on a day to day basis, it does not surprise me that identity theft has made the top three reports in Canada in 2020.