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1) In this image, identity theft statistics are displayed and explained regarding important actions to take in protecting personal information from identity theft.

2) I believe this image is important because it demonstrates opinions and actions about security from a wide population within Canadian society. I believe this image is so useful because it provides meaningful data in a clear and comprehensive way that easily demonstrates the value of protecting personal information.

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1) On this website, important aspects surrounding identity theft are covered in detail to provide the reader with valuable information surrounding the protection of their personal information. This website demonstrates how to avoid, detect, and recover from many aspects of identity theft in order to ensure the overall safety and well being of one's valuable personal data.

2) I believe this website is important because it provides vital information regarding what actions should be taken depending on what stage of identity theft crisis a person may be in. Whether a person needs valuable tips and tricks to avoid identity theft, or they need immediate assistance in taking action to stop and reverse the damage being done, this website can provide them with essential information.

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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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1) This website provides valuable information regarding educational aspects to protect personal data from identity theft. This website provides meaningful links that take you to different pages within the website to learn about avoiding identity fraud. Such links help teach the reader about the different kinds of identity fraud, how to avoid financial fraud, and what to do if fraud occurs and how to report these matters.

2) I believe this website is important because it thoroughly educates the reader about the various stages of identity theft. After visiting this website, the reader can gain valuable knowledge about how to spot and reverse the damaging effects of identity theft.

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Learn what you can do to better protect your information and what you should be considering when it comes to identity theft.

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1) In this image, the various emotions surrounding identity theft are displayed. In addition to these emotions, different types of aspects and scenarios of identity theft are shown.

2) I believe that this image is important because it shows the cluster of emotions that come from dealing with identity theft. I believe that this image not only provides insight into identity theft's negative environment, but also serves as an educational tool to help people better understand the complexity of identity theft.

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1) In this video, identity theft is explained through the use of helpful animations to demonstrate how identity theft may occur. In this video, it shows how a father caught and addressed his identity theft problem, while also giving useful and educational tips throughout the video.

2) I believe this video is important because it demonstrates in a clear and effective way through the use of helpful animations, how identity theft can occur to anyone. In my opinion, what makes this video so meaningful is that it shows how anyone can be susceptible to identity theft if they are not careful in their financial and online actions. In addition, this video demonstrates that no matter what, individuals should always deal with their personal information matters with caution at all times.

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1) In this video, an interview is conducted with Jeffrey Schwartz who is an expert at dealing with identity theft, who helps explain and warn listeners about the harmful effects of identity theft. Throughout the interview, he explains the various risks to avoid having valuable information stolen, as well as giving insight into how to deal with the issue of identity theft if it were to occur.

2) I think that this interview is important because the expert clearly explains the dangers surrounding identity theft and the important ways to recognize if you are at risk for these types of fraudulent behaviours. I believe this video is very meaningful because the expert gives great educational awareness as well as advice for individuals to look out for their personal security information to avoid many types of identity theft.

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Identifying and preventing identity theft

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1) What surprised me the most during my research of identity theft was how anybody can be at risk for this deceptive behaviour. While many people may have multiple layers of protection when it comes to their personal data and protecting their information from identity theft, crimes can still occur. Additionally, I believe that by bringing light to this issue, it can help others who may be lenient with protecting their personal security, learn the seriousness of these issues. I think that learning about this fact helped me recognize the loopholes in my own personal security measures, which helped me build more secure and stable methods of preventing identity theft crimes from occurring.

2) A real-life example of why identity theft is interesting to me is because a relative of mine was once caught up in a serious scam that could have been very damaging if action had not been taken as quickly as it was. This attempt at identity theft started out as a phone call, with a scammer disguising their identity as another family member, requiring financial aid. As this scam seemed very real, my relative gave the scammer money and banking information over the phone. Thankfully, this issue was resolved quickly as the scam was reported to authorities by other individuals that were victims, and important banking records and passwords were changed. Since this occurrence, identity theft has been an important matter for me and my family to have valuable knowledge of how to prevent and deal with these crimes.

3) If I were to pass on my knowledge about identity theft to a friend or family member, I think that the most important thing I would share would be the ability to recognize scams and fraudulent behaviour by scammers trying to steal someone's identity. While other aspects are important surrounding this topic, such as reporting and fixing the damages caused by identity fraud, the most important aspect to know is how to recognize scams the instant they arise. When an individual learns the patterns of recognizing their own risky security measures, they can learn how to build stronger barriers to fraud, and can also be able to distinguish early signs of behaviour that could cause identity theft if not dealt with quickly and accordingly.

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1) In this video, it demonstrates how a man named Jim had his world turned upside down due to being the victim of identity theft. Due to Jim's identity theft issue, it caused him to be unable to have control over his money and questioned his financial future. This video also explained the importance of maintaining additional layers of security when it comes to personal information, as the use of different apps and technologies may be able to fight identity theft incidents.

2) I believe this video is important because it clearly and efficiently explains the overwhelming effects that identity theft can do to an individual, and it does so by providing useful animations for the viewer to easily understand. I believe this video is meaningful because it provides insight into the importance of not only recognizing the risks for identity theft, but also learning how to take extra precautionary measures in order to prevent these attack from occurring.

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1) In this video, it explains the ordeal that occurred where a woman from Toronto stole 20 different people's identities, which left each of them with a magnitude of financial problems. Additionally, one of the victims of these crimes told her side of the story to explain how she recognized the issue, and the difficult process of trying to fix the problem.

2) I believe that this video is especially important because it shows a real-life example of an identity theft crime that can happen to anyone at anytime. I believe this video is meaningful because it uncovers a real crime that occurred, while demonstrating the damaging aftermath effects of identity theft that these victims endured, which can teach others to be more cautious and aware of these types of crimes.

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Toronto woman accused of stealing 20 identities

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1) On this website, there is valuable information to allow readers to be aware of protecting valuable information, minimizing the risks of identity theft, as well as knowing what to do if you become a victim. Throughout the explanation of these aspects, there are many valuable educational tips given to protect personal data whether it is online, on a phone, over mail, and within banking accounts.

2) I believe this website is important because it educates readers on the various aspects of everyday life that should be dealt with very cautiously in order to minimize the risk of identity theft. I think this website is meaningful to its reader because it gives in-depth detail about the real risks that occur within everyday activities, to help educate individuals to be more aware of the dangers associated with sharing valuable personal information.

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Identity theft includes everything from cheque forgery and the use of stolen credit cards to sophisticated scams in which an impostor adopts another person's identity to gain access to their assets.

Identity fraud and identity theft are criminal offences in Canada. With today's proliferation of technology, stealing identities in order to commit fraud has become a very lucrative business.

Cloaked in your stolen identity, a fraudster can cash your cheques, raid your bank accounts, bilk your credit card company and even load a big mortgage on your house.

Identity thieves have many ways to get their hands on your personal information. Some simply steal old bills or preprinted credit card offers discarded in waste or recycling bins. Others exploit information lost or stolen from retailers, other businesses and even government bodies.

Protect yourself

Take steps to protect yourself from unscrupulous criminals by limiting the amount of information you give out about yourself. Read on to learn more about how to safeguard your identity and stay safe from fraud. Incorporating these tips into your life doesn't take long, but will lessen the chances that your personal information winds up in the wrong hands.

Tips for reducing the risk of identity theft

Be careful about sharing personal information or letting it circulate freely. When you are asked to provide personal information, you should ask:

how it will be used

why it is needed

who will be sharing it

how it will be safeguarded

if there are any risks of harm or other consequences

Do not give out more than necessary.

Be particularly careful about your birth date and your Social Insurance Number ( SIN). Your SIN is an important key to your identity, especially in credit reports and computer databases. Don't share it unless absolutely necessary.

Talk with your children about identity theft and how to minimize the risk.

Credit cards and banking

Keep track of when credit card bills are supposed to arrive, and call the company if they're late. Review all credit card and bank statements to make sure there are no unauthorized purchases.

If you do online banking, consult your statement frequently to check for any anomalies. Avoid connecting to your bank while using public Wi-Fi as the connection is not secure and others may be able to capture the data you are sending.

You can also create a separate account on your computer that you only use for banking and other online financial activities. You can protect this account with a unique password.

Mail

Use a locked mailbox or one with a drop slot to prevent mail theft. If you use a regular box, pick up your mail as promptly as possible after it is delivered. Ensure your mail is forwarded if you move.

Shred or destroy items with your name and address, such as preapproved credit card offers, insurance and loan applications, bills, and credit card receipts. Don't discard them in your recycling or waste bins until they have been properly shredded.

If you are going to be away from home, arrange for a trusted neighbour to pick up your mail. If this is impossible, Canada Post provides a mail-holding service for a fee.

Phone

Don't give out credit card numbers or other personal information over the phone unless it's to a trusted person or you initiated the call yourself.

If someone calls unexpectedly and requests your personal or financial information, try calling the organization they are representing to verify that the request is legitimate. Reputable firms never ask for personal information without significant safeguards.

Wallet

Carry only essential ID such as your driver's licence and health card. Leave your SIN card, passport and birth certificate in a safe place.

Do not let private organizations make copies of your ID documents unless there is a legitimate need and you know that they will be protected adequately. The information on the copy is as valuable as on the original document.

Online

Software

Make sure your devices are equipped with online security and privacy safeguards including, but not limited to, firewalls and virus protection. Be sure to keep the software and operating systems on your devices up to date.

Use passwords

Ensure your devices are password-protected. They are full of personal information that could be compromised if they fall into the wrong hands.

Create unique, hard-to-guess passwords for each of your online accounts and change passwords if you suspect they have been compromised. See our advice on creating and managing your passwords for more information.

Be careful in public

Whenever possible, do not engage in sensitive activities - such as online banking or online purchases - on your device when you are in public. You never know who may be watching or filming you in order to capture your personal information, such as your passwords and other personal details.

Similarly, avoid sensitive transactions when using public Wi-Fi, as the connection is not secure and others may be able to capture the data you are sending.

If you need to log on to your email or bank account from a library or other public computer, make sure no one can watch over your shoulder as you type in your password and other private information. While not foolproof, the lock icon, HTTPS protocol or green highlighting in the address bar are all signs the site is likely secure. Be sure to log off when your transaction is complete.

Be careful online

Be careful about where and to whom you divulge or post any personal information online.

Don't reply to suspicious emails, instant messages or text messages asking you to provide personal information, even if they appear to come from financial or government institutions. Call the bank or other institution if you have doubts.

Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when you are not using them. When you leave your device open by default, you leave your data vulnerable to access by others without your knowledge or consent whenever you pass through cafés and other places offering open, public wireless networks.

Social media like Twitter and Facebook are great for keeping in touch with friends, but can also be a goldmine for identity thieves. It's a good idea to limit identifying information you post, and not to share your location. See our advice on staying safe on social media for more tips on how to protect yourself.

Disposing of your device

Delete all personal information from your electronic media devices before discarding, recycling or selling them. There are several ways to do this, for example by resetting to factory defaults, overwriting, reformatting or physically destroying the media.

If you become a victim

If you think you've been targeted, there are actions you should take to address the situation. Depending on the circumstances, you might need to:

Report the incident to local police if the matter involved a theft/crime

Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501) if the matter involved a scam or fraud

Advise your bank and credit card companies. Request new bank or credit cards with new numerical identifiers on them

Report any missing identity documents or cards, such as a driver's licence, a health card or immigration documents to the appropriate organization

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Identity theft includes everything from cheque forgery and the use of stolen credit cards to sophisticated scams in which an impostor adopts another person's identity to gain access to their assets. Identity fraud and identity theft are criminal offences in Canada. With today's proliferation of technology, stealing identities in order to commit fraud has become a very lucrative business.

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1) This website covers a wide variety of aspects regarding identity theft by providing links to identify and recognize the different types of fraud and thefts in order to learn how to protect personal data from being stolen. Each of these links provide the reader with additional information of how to recognize, report, and deal with fraudulent behaviours that cause serious identity theft concerns.

2) I believe this website is very important because it provides readers with value knowhow of recognizing and dealing with scams that can be dangerous if not dealt with accordingly. I think that this website is meaningful because it is a government website that contains accurate and trustworthy material that certainly guides readers to learn how to distinguish fraudulent scams, report deviant material to authorities, and learn to further avoid being at risk for identity theft.

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The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre collects information on fraud and identity theft. We provide information on past and current scams affecting Canadians. If you think you’re a victim of fraud, report it!

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In this wall, identity theft will be examined and explained throughout several modules. Throughout several videos, images, and websites, as well as a concluding reflection, identity theft will be examined in detail to uncover the dangers of this fraudulent behaviour by distinguishing the importance of preventing, recognizing, reporting, and moving on from identity theft.