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We are researching the topic of Identity fraud. We will cover what identity fraud is and ways to safeguard yourself from becoming a victim.Through videos, websites, and photos you will learn how easily one can fall victim of identity fraud, and also how to protect your self.

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In this video, it talks about what identity theft/ fraud really is. Identity fraud effects many people around the world. Fraudsters can steal people’s identity by dumpster diving which means to steal mail or taking devices such as computers, printers and phones. From doing that the criminal then proceeds to manipulate people into giving them information. An interesting fact we learned is that a common form of identity manipulation is called phishing. Where they impersonate a person or entity and proceeds to ask the victim for sensitive information. The reason why we choose this video is because it gives out important information on how you can protect yourself if you’re going through identity fraud.

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Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)

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This video undergoes some specific theft that can happen when your identity is stolen. When your identity is stolen it makes it easier for the hacker to get a job, apply for a loan, get property under your name. in some cases, criminals are taking tax funds from the victims as well.  If you notice anything wrong with your account or missed payments that you know you have paid. You must act quickly before it is too late. The reason why we chose this Video is because, it talks about what to do if you’re a victim of Identity theft. It list what you should do step by step. An interesting fact that we learned is that if you’re experiencing fraud on accounts you should immediately call your credit reporting agency to inform a representative that you are a victim of fraud and would like to file an initial fraud alert.

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In this video, they talk about some of the cases of identity theft. It is much common these days due to websites that can be hacked and people having simple passwords. This video breaks down 11 cases that happened all over the world and how people will do anything to act like someone else. One case is about a journalist whose identity was stole by a serial murder who called him self Michael Finkel who is the journalist. Later, Michael discovers the criminal and writes a book about him. This is not one of the worst ones, but it proves that if you wanted you could pretend to be anyone that’s not you. We chose this video because it is interesting to see some famous cases that has happened. An interesting fact we learned in this video was that your identity can be stolen at any times. it is on you to be more protective of yourself and others.

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The Most Horrific Case Of Identity Theft

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This talks about some ways that a hacker will steal your identity. From impersonating your online social media to your banking information. There is chance that the hacker will ruin your credit score if it is not stopped as soon as possible. Some things you need to be on the look out for are public wifi use. Criminals often look for people using free Wi-Fi. Making it an easy access. Reason why we chose this video was to see what the hackers do and what goes on in their mind when doing this crime. An interesting fact that this video taught me was that identity theft is one of the fastest growing digital crimes in the world. In 2017, 6.64% were in victim of identity theft.

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Secret Ways A Hacker Will Steal Your Identity

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This website is a government of Ontario website it's purpose is to inform citizens of ways to avoid or recover from identity theft/fraud. It gives you helpful information on types of identity theft, how your information can be stolen, signs that your information has been stolen, and ways to protect your information.

We chose this website because we think it's helpful to know what to do so you don't fall victim of identity fraud, and also because it provides you with tips of what to do if you do find out your information has been stolen

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Types of ID fraud

Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge for criminal purposes.

They may use the stolen information to gain access to your financial accounts, hack into your online accounts, and/or defraud others. Once they access your personal information, identity thieves can also:

spend money from your accounts

open new bank accounts

change your passwords and contact information for your online accounts

apply for loans, credit cards and benefits in your name

rent an apartment or car

commit other crimes using your credentials

Another form of identity theft is when someone sets up accounts on social media channels or websites using your name, image and/or other information. While this may not cause harm to your financial accounts, it can harm your reputation.

If this happens, check the terms of the social media site or website to find out how to take action against the account that is falsely using your name or likeness. If criminal activity is involved - for example, if someone is creating fake online accounts in your name to harass you - take screen shots of the online activity and file a report with your local police.

How identity is stolen

Common methods include:

stealing your mail

looking for personal documents in your trash

tampering with ATMs or card machines in shops to steal your banking information

taking personal information through public sources (e.g., telephone books and social media)

Identity thieves generally look for:

Your identity may also be stolen from your online transactions. If you don't change your passwords and strengthen your web security features regularly, it can become easy for someone to access your:

email (to steal personal and financial information, schedules etc.)

online shopping accounts (to steal credit card and address information)

banking accounts (to transfer funds, open new accounts or apply for loans)

credit card accounts (to shop and apply for new cards)

government accounts (to change your contact information on government IDs, access benefits, etc.)

Signs of identity theft

Your personal information can be stolen without your knowledge.

Many people find out they've been the victim of identity theft when they're denied a loan, job or rent unexpectedly because of a credit check. This is why it's very important to check your credit report once a year for errors or strange activities.

Others signs of identity theft include:

bills and statements don't arrive when they are supposed to - they may have been stolen from your mailbox or someone may have changed the mailing address for your accounts

you receive calls from collection agencies or creditors for an account you don't have

you receive notification from your bank, credit card or online business about a new account in your name, or added charges

financial account statements show withdrawals or transfers you didn't make

a creditor calls to say you've been approved or denied credit that you haven't applied for

If identity is stolen

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have step by step advice on what to do if you have mistakenly provided your personal information to an unknown person.

If you think your financial accounts have been breached, you can pay to put an alert on your credit report. This can alert those checking your credit to make sure they are dealing with you and not an imposter.

To minimize any further incidences and to begin the process of clearing any harm done, you should:

keep a log of all your phone calls (write down the name of anyone you talked to, what he or she told you and the date your conversation occurred)

follow up in writing with contacts you've made on the telephone or in person to make sure you have a record of all agreements

make copies and keep all originals of supporting documentation, like police reports and letters to and from companies

keep old files even if you believe the case has been resolved, in case errors reappear on your credit reports or if old issues arise

Protect your identity

empty your mailbox daily (if you're going away on vacation, ask friends or trusted neighbours to pick up your mail or you can also opt for Canada Post's "hold mail" service)

store ID cards and documents, such as birth certificates, social insurance numbers and passports, in a secure place such as a locked fireproof safe

shred any documents and items with personal information once you no longer need them (e.g., expired ID cards, credit card offers and financial statements)

check balances on your statements from banks, credit cards and companies regularly

report any strange activities in your bills and statements, however minor, right away (fraudsters often steal in small amounts from many cards to evade detection)

check your credit report once a year for errors or strange activities (you may also wish to consider purchasing a credit monitoring service that alerts you when there are changes to your credit report or score)

avoid giving out any personal information over the telephone unless you've placed the call yourself or know the business

avoid giving out sensitive personal information like a SIN number or credit card number over the telephone when you're in a public place (you never know who may be listening)

don't put more than your name and address on your personal cheques

When shopping, you should:

carry as few cards and documents as possible, and always check to see the credit card you get back from the cashier is your own

never tell anyone your banking PIN or credit card PIN

make sure no one is watching when you use a banking machine or ATM

avoid using banking or cash machines in isolated or dimly lit areas

avoid giving out too much personal information (you're not required to provide stores your full mailing address, email address and date of birth)

If you're online or on your mobile device:

change your passwords often and make them strong

avoid posting personal information online such as your date of birth and mailing address

make sure you review and understand the privacy settings on all social media sites you use before posting any update (you should review the privacy settings regularly as they often change)

disable the "geo-tracking" option on your phone before posting public photos on social media sites (by default, this option is enabled on most phones and it allows someone to figure out exactly where your photos were taken)

before you sell or dispose of your computer, phone or tablet, completely wipe its hard drive or have the hard drive or device destroyed

consider setting up email alerts that notify you each time your name is used somewhere online

avoid online shopping and banking when using public Wi-Fi as the connection may not be secure

before giving your credit card number or other financial information to a business, make sure that it's a secure website (look for a lock symbol located somewhere on the web page or make sure the URL begins with "https")

after completing a financial transaction online, make sure you sign out of the website and clear your browser's cookies and cache

make sure your computer's anti-virus and other security features to detect malware are up-to-date

don't download apps or software on your phone or tablet unless they're from official app stores or libraries

know that government organizations, financial institutions and police will never email or text to ask for your passwords or PINs

never click on a link from a spam message, especially when it promises rewards, prizes or any exclusive information

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How to avoid or recover from identity theft

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Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge for criminal purposes. They may use the stolen information to gain access to your financial accounts, hack into your online accounts, and/or defraud others.

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This is a CPA website that is intended to inform people of 3 current scams that are being used to steal peoples identity, and how to protect yourself. In this it talks about scam 1.Looking for login info, where they will send you a email of a service you use i.e Netflix, and if you login in through that information such as your credit card info would be stolen. 2.Package delivery scam, items you didn't order will show up to your house followed by a fake carrier asking you to return those items because they were delivered to you in error. 3. Ransomware, software sent to your computer for the purpose of infecting it so that your information can be stolen.

We chose this website because it lets you know of current scams to look out for so you don't become victim of identity fraud, and what to do if you experience any of these scams.

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Package delivery scams involve a phone or other high-value item being delivered to your door. The package has your name on it-but you didn't make the order. (Getty Images/Dougal Waters)
As we head into the early months of a new decade, it would be encouraging to be able to say there has been a clear reduction in the number of scams being devised.

Unfortunately, that is not the case. For example, figures from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre show that total losses from reported phishing scams in Canada almost doubled from 2018 to 2019 (to $296,355.74 from $127,128.96), even though the number of reports was down slightly (to 5,048 from 6,760).

What are some of the scams currently making the rounds? According to Jeff Thomson, manager of the fraud intake and prevention unit at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CFAC), spear phishing (also known as wire fraud) remains a top money maker for fraudsters who are targeting businesses; in fact, it is at top of the list in terms of dollar losses for 2019, at $20,007,419.

Also, it appears that the SIN scam and other schemes in which fraudsters pretend to be calling from federal government departments are still very common; even the CFAC has been hit by the scam, says Thomson. (The scam has become so ubiquitous that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission recently ramped up its efforts to combat it.)

Here are some of the other scams that are currently targeting Canadians.

1) LOOKING FOR LOGIN INFO

Scammers don't always solicit money; these days, they might go after your personal info as well. As Thomson points out, the CAFC has been seeing an increase in scams where the perpetrators are seeking the victim's login credentials for various apps and online services, including Amazon or Netflix. "Some even go after reward points (e.g. Aeroplan and PC Optimum rewards points)," he says.

One such credential scammer- known as the Hamburglar-has been hacking customers' McDonald's apps to order meals for pickup. In one case in April 2019, for example, a customer in Toronto was charged for more than $2,000 worth of meals ordered at different McDonald's restaurants in Montreal. And in October, one customer said someone used her app to order $34.87 worth of Chicken McNuggets and burgers for pickup at a McDonald's in Toronto-about 140 kilometres from her home.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

As always, practise due diligence by strengthening your password and keeping it secure. If you have other accounts with the same password, change those as well.

If you have already fallen victim to the scam, request a refund from your credit card provider.

Report the incident to the merchant.

2) PACKAGE DELIVERY SCAM

In this scheme, which has been making the rounds in the U.K. and elsewhere, a phone or other high-value item is delivered to your door. The package has your name on it-but you didn't make the order.

Later, a courier shows up, explaining that it was delivered by mistake and asking you to give it back. If you do, you are asking for trouble, because the scammers might have stolen your personal info to order the item in the first place.

As Adam French, a consumer rights expert for Which? (a UK-based consumer body), pointed out in a repor t on the subject, "Delivery scams are just one of the increasingly sophisticated methods fraudsters are using to leave victims out of pocket."

As with credential phishing, the scam starts when the fraudsters find a way to get hold of your personal info to place the order. Then, if they don't manage to intercept the package before it is delivered, they pose as a courier, there to collect the item that was delivered by mistake.

As one victim explained, "After it happened to us, we were worried about how someone was able to get so far in ordering a phone in our name. We were also worried that it could impact our credit rating, as we were buying a house."

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

If a courier unexpectedly comes to your door asking for you to hand over a package that you just received but didn't order, don't do it. Instead, call the company they say they are representing immediately.

Get in touch with the retailer and arrange for the item to be sent back.

As always, be on your guard against tricksters trying to abscond with your personal details. "Identity theft is on the rise so if you spot any suspicious activity on your account, report it to your bank immediately," says French. "Ensure personal documents such as bank statements are not left lying around, and are shredded before throwing away."

3) RANSOMWARE MEETS DATA EXFILTRATION

Falling victim to a ransomware attack has long been one of a computer user's worst nightmares. The term ransomware-also called malware-refers to a malicious type of software that is used to infect a computer, denying access to the system or data. Victims will receive an on-screen alert stating their files have been encrypted or a similar message. A sum of money is then demanded to restore the information.

Currently, ransomware attacks are on the decline (some reports suggest infections decreased by as much as 28 per cent between 2017 and 2018). That said, there is now an additional twist on this scam that is proving even more pernicious: ransomware developers are copying a victim's data and releasing it if they don't pay the ransom. In such a case, as Thomson explains, victims of ransomware also become victims of a data breach.

In one case last fall, Allied Universal was infected by a kind of ransomware that copies the files to servers under the attackers' control before encrypting the local copies. When the company failed to pay the (approximately) US$2-million-plus ransom, the developers published almost 700 MB worth of stolen data and files from the company. And they said they would release the rest if it did not pay the increased ransom. (For more on how to avoid data breaches and what to do if you are hit, see Data breaches can have a huge impact on you and your business.)

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
For individuals:
Tips for dealing with a ransomware attack also apply to those that are combined with a data breach, says Thomson. However, if a breach occurs, a company must report it to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

Do not click on links or open attachments in emails sent to you by someone you do not know.

Do not provide personal information over the phone or online to untrusted sources.

Install a reputable security software suite on all devices and secure your wireless router.

Disable file sharing and remote desktop.

Make sure all your software, including anti-virus software, is up to date on all your devices.

If you become a victim:
For businesses:

Don't panic. Do not do anything further on your computer. Contact a trusted IT professional who can try to isolate the threat.

Report the incident to your local police force.

Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Consult nomoreransom.org, which was developed by law enforcement and IT security companies globally to help victims retrieve their data.

Train and educate staff on good security practices, and restrict administrative privileges.

Do not click on links or open attachments in emails sent to you by someone you do not know.

Use a reputable security software suite.

Back up your system/data regularly to a cloud or removable media such as an external hard drive not constantly connected to the server.

Use application whitelisting to help prevent malicious software and unapproved programs from running.

Make sure all software, including anti-virus software, is up-to-date on all computers, servers and devices, including mobile phones and tablets.

Develop a business continuity plan and incident response plan.

If your business is targeted:
The RCMP suggests you do not pay the ransom for several reasons:

Do not do anything further on your computer. If available, consult your local IT department or an IT professional for assistance.

Critical infrastructure, businesses and provincial/ territorial/municipal governments should immediately report the incident to the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC).

Report the incident to your local police force of jurisdiction and inform CCIRC you have done so.

Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

There is no guarantee that your data will be recovered.

You may be extorted for more money after the original ransom is paid.

You can make yourself a future target.

Extortion via ransomware is a criminal offence, and the money you pay will be used to fund criminals and/or criminal organizations and motivate them to further victimize others.

Even if you have paid the ransom, the RCMP still encourages you to report the incident.

DID YOU KNOW?

As CPA Canada's 2019 fraud survey shows, fear of identity theft and fraud are big concerns for Canadians. Find practical tips on spotting fraud in Protecting you and your money: A guide to avoiding identity theft and fraud.

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3 current scams to keep on your watch list-and avoid

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Package delivery scams involve a phone or other high-value item being delivered to your door. The package has your name on it-but you didn't make the order. (Getty Images/Dougal Waters) As we head into the early months of a new decade, it would be encouraging to be able to say there has been a clear reduction in the number of scams being devised.

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This website has statics on the number of Canadian's that have become victim's of identity fraud since 2020 started, it found that 34 percent experienced identity fraud, 18 percent experienced credit card fraud, and 5 percent experienced online fraud.

We chose this because we find it alarming that 57% of Canadian's have become victims of identity fraud so far , and it's only March that is very scary.

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Thirty-four per cent of survey respondents have personally experienced fraud, with 18 per cent saying they were victims of credit card fraud and five per cent saying they were subjected to online fraud (Getty Images/ courtneyk)
In 2019, nearly 45,000 Canadians fell victim to fraud, losing more than $96 million, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Yet, according to CPA Canada's 2020 Fraud Survey, many Canadians continue to use unsafe and outdated techniques to protect themselves and their personal data.

As per the findings, 34 per cent of survey respondents have personally experienced fraud, with 18 per cent saying they were victims of credit card fraud and five per cent saying they were subjected to online fraud. The latter figure will likely rise as people do even more over the internet, says Claudiu Popa, principal risk adviser at Informatica and author of The Canadian Privacy & Data Security Toolkit for Small & Mid-Size Enterprises.

The survey found that 74 per cent of Canadians visited or bought items from web-based retailers in 2019, while the same number bank online. "The frequency in which you carry out online transactions increases your risk, especially because Canadians are not using the most secure methods and systems," says Popa.

As well, 70 per cent share their lives on social media. "With more of our daily activities going online, the ability of fraudsters to take advantage of unsuspecting Canadians increases," adds Doretta Thompson, CPA Canada's Financial Literacy Leader. "Devices such as smart locks, home security cameras, laptops and even smart TVs can be infiltrated and compromised with access to the right information."

While Canadians are learning more about fraud-54 per cent said they're learning how to protect themselves from news media reports, while 47 per cent said they're getting educated from their financial institution-many still have trouble recognizing fraud, says Popa. They still find it hard to differentiate a real email from a phishing scam, especially as fraud-related emails mimic real ones so well, while those fake Canada Revenue Agency phone calls are frightening enough to scare just about anyone into handing over their personal information.

One problem is that for individuals, these fraud events occur in isolation. They get one email or one phone call and so they don't recognize how these hackers work. "When you're seeing one scam at a time, you don't have the big picture perspective that allows you to see patterns and anticipate how these things are going to turn out," says Popa.

So, what can you do to make sure you don't become a fraud victim? Here are some ideas.

1) CREATE BETTER PASSWORDS

The first step is to strengthen your passwords. Many people still choose an easy-to-figure-out string of letters or numbers. Popa says to use different passwords for different sites-something most people don't do. Consider online password managers, which can help you securely keep track of your passwords or, at the very least, write down your passwords on a piece of paper, which according to CPA Canada's survey, only 22 per cent of people do. He also suggests using two-factor authentication, which is when you have to enter a code sent via text along with a password when logging into a site. Accounts that have two-factor authentication enabled are much more difficult to break into, he says.

2) REVIEW YOUR TRANSACTIONS

One of the easiest ways to detect fraud is to monitor your credit card transactions. An unexpected charge could be a sign that something nefarious has occurred. Fortunately, 87 per cent of Canadians surveyed do review their accounts monthly. However, implementing real-time transaction alerts, which many banks now offer, makes it even easier to determine if a bank account has been breached. [See Does a credit card charge look suspicious to you? Here's what to do]

3) SHRED PERSONAL DOCUMENTS

While Popa says there aren't as many dumpster diving fraudsters as there may have once been, it's still important to shred any documents that contain personal and sensitive information. As soon as a document goes into the garbage, it's ripe for the taking and it may even be considered public if it's found off your property. You never know where your information might end up, he says.

4) WATCH YOUR CREDIT SCORE

It's a good idea to know your credit score-36 per cent of Canadians do not, according to the survey-because any change in that score could be a sign that a fraud has occurred. "Be aware of the changes in your score," says Popa. "You want to see if there's an abnormality." Credit monitoring agencies Equifax or TransUnion Canada can send you one free report a year, while you can also sign up for notifications that can alert you to a potential fraud.

5) SCREEN YOUR CALLS

With more scams stemming from phone calls and texts, it's more important than ever to keep your contacts up to date. Don't answer calls or texts from unknown numbers-if it's a real person they'll leave a message. Currently, 37 per cent of Canadians do not screen calls from questionable numbers.

STAYING VIGILANT

While hackers are always finding new ways to steal money from unsuspecting people, Popa says that Canadians are also getting savvier and are doing a better job at detecting fraud. "People are more aware and more concerned," he says.

With an increase in the number of people reporting breaches, it helps others better understand what's happening, while continued fraud-related education will help people detect potential scams.

READ THE SURVEY
The CPA Canada 2020 Annual Fraud Survey was conducted by Nielsen via an online questionnaire, from January 24 to February 5, 2020 with 2,013 randomly selected Canadian adults, who are members of their online panel.
Take a look at CPA Canada's 2020 Fraud Survey for further insight on what Canadians are lacking in terms of protecting themselves and their personal information. Also, find out the four things you need to know about identity theft and how to stay vigilant 24/7.

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34 per cent of Canadians have fallen victim to fraud: survey

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Thirty-four per cent of survey respondents have personally experienced fraud, with 18 per cent saying they were victims of credit card fraud and five per cent saying they were subjected to online fraud (Getty Images/ courtneyk) In 2019, nearly 45,000 Canadians fell victim to fraud, losing more than $96 million, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

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This is a credit monitoring website that is free to use, with this website you can check your credit score monthly and make sure everything is fine, you can also keep track to make sure no loans, bank accounts,  or credit cards have been opened in your name.

We chose this website because it's a free resource to helps your keep track and safeguard your information, and catch anything fishy happening.

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It looks like we're having some trouble accessing your Credit Karma account. We're working hard at getting everything back up and running, so check back soon to access your free credit scores, full credit report and more.

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Checking your credit on Credit Karma won't hurt your score. It only takes about two minutes to sign up, and we don't ask for your credit card information. To learn more about how we work, check out our About Us page.

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National Bank offers a service called SECURIZONE ALERT, with this service you can track

Access to and monitoring of your Equifax educational credit file

Access to and monitoring of your Equifax credit score

Online monitoring of your personal information

Email alert in case of key changes or if personal information is traced on suspicious websites

Monthly email updates

We choose this because we feel it would be a helpful tool to let people know when they have become victim of identity fraud, so they can act quickly by contacting the proper authority to stop further damage and theft of your information

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In this picture as you can see, the thief is hacking into someone’s laptop. It shows how easily it can be done and not only do they steal your information that they can do anything with that information. Such as apply for a credit card or booking tickets on your card. That’s why it is so important to have an extra secure password and logging out of websites after you’re done using it.

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1. We learned a lot about identity theft. An important one is to always keep your information safe by having a secure password and if you can add fingerprints or face ID to your devices. It makes it much harder for the hacker to get it.  What surprised us the most about identity theft is that in a study done in 2006, said that 85% of identity theft victims don’t realize that they are a victim of identity theft up to a year if not even longer.

2. We both have  Credit Karma/ Equifax we use these two websites monthly to keep track of our information, and make sure that credit accounts haven't been created in our names that we don't recognize.

3. The most important information from what we researched is, to always keep your passwords as long and secure as possible. Do not have a simple guessable password because It makes it easier for the criminal to hack on to your system. Another important information that we think is good to pass on, is to limit your work on free Wi-Fi because you never know who else is using that Wi-Fi to hack onto other laptops or phones.