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This website communicates how you can protect yourself form identity theft and the tips to reduce risks of being a victim. Tips ranging from credit cards and banking, mail, phone, wallet, online, and the steps to take if you have been targeted or have become a victim.  This website is made by the Office of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, I choose this website because it presents the different ways your identify can be stolen and what information can be used to steal someone’s identity.

One piece of information that I have found useful in this website are the different links that direct the reader to another page for more information, for example their advice on creating and managing passwords online. I choose this website because anyone can use these tips.

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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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This video reveals how identity fraud are targeting individuals in Canada that are receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). As majority are targeted here in Ontario and Quebec, this started after the virus outbreak in the past year. Many receive emails claiming to be the government of Canada and that the citizen will no longer be receiving email notifications.

I found that this video was helpful and useful in the way that it shows how a simple email fraud can lead to someone hacking into your account and stealing your identity and money. This video also included how you can protect yourself and the steps to take if you have been a victim. I choose this video because many Canadians have been receiving the emergency benefit as they longer can work, it is important to know that these frauds can and could happen to anyone.

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GTA mother warns of identity fraud linked to CERB

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This graphic express the rate of identity fraud per 100,000 residents that live in Canada.

One thing I found useful was that it shows the years from 2008 to 2019, I choose this graphic because it shows that identity fraud is increasing from this decade.

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This website communicates how a person’s identity can be stolen, the signs of identity theft, what types of identity thieves look out for, and how they can use your information for personal gains. This website is updated and published on the Ontario website, they have included phone numbers you can reach if you have received an email and text message claiming to be the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services that is investigating your identity. As many people receives scam phone calls claiming to be an organization requesting your information, it is important to know what kind of personal information you are giving out.

One piece of information that I found useful on this website was that it specifically helps victims that reside in Ontario, the website provides access and information for direct help. I choose this website because it s directed at Ontario residents.

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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 website communicates how identity theft is prosecuted under the criminal code in Canada. Any person who commits identity theft is found in the 402.2 of the criminal code. This website includes the punishment, record suspensions and pardons, and draft form of charges that needs to be completed in order to prove the offence. I choose to include this website as it helps reader’s and the public become more aware of the consequences of identity fraud and what it could lead to.

One piece of information I found useful on this website is the proof of offence list to prove identity theft, it includes the identity of accused, date and time of incident, the jurisdiction, and more. In order to prove the offence the victim and the lawyer must check off the list. I choose this website because it shows the steps you must take.

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Offences relating to identity theft are found in Part X of the Criminal Code relating to "Fraudulent Transactions Relating to Contracts and Trade".

Offences under s. 402.2 are hybrid with a Crown election. If prosecuted by indictment, there is a Defence election of Court under s. 536(2) to trial by provincial court, superior court judge-alone or superior court judge-and-jury.

When charged under s. 402.2, the accused can be given an appearance notice without arrest under s. 497 or a summons. If arrested, he can be released by the arresting officer under s. 498 or 499 on an undertaking with or without conditions. He can also be released by a justice under s. 515.

If police decide to bring the accused before a Justice pursuant to s. 503, there will be a presumption against bail (i.e. a reverse onus) if the offence, prosecuted by indictment, was committed:

while at large under s. 515 [bail release], 679 or 680 [release pending appeal or review of appeal] (s. 515(6)(a)(i));

"for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association" with a criminal organization (s. 515(6)(a)(ii));

where the offence involved a firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance, while the accused was subject to a prohibition order preventing possession of these items (s. 515(6)(a)(viii)); or

where the accused is not "ordinarily a resident in Canada" (s. 515(6)(b)).

Publication Bans

For all criminal or regulatory prosecutions, there is a discretionary general publication ban available on application of the Crown, victim or witness to prohibit the publishing of "any information that could identify the victim or witness" under s. 486.5(1) where it is "necessary" for the "proper administration of justice". Other available publication bans include prohibitions for publishing evidence or other information arising from a bail hearing (s. 517), preliminary inquiry (s. 539) or jury trial (s. 648). There is a mandatory publication ban in all youth prosecutions on information tending to identify young accused under s. 110 of the YCJA or young victims under s. 111 of the YCJA.

Offence(s)

AG Consent Required

s. 402.2(1) [identity theft] and
s. 402.2(2) [trafficking in identity information]

(under 10 years max)

Offences under s. 402.2 are designated offences eligible for wiretap under s. 183.

See below in Ancillary Sentencing Orders for details on designations relating to sentencing orders.

Offence Wording

Identity Theft and Identity Fraud

402.‍2 (1) Every person commits an offence who obtains or possesses another person's identity information with intent to use it to commit an indictable offence that includes fraud, deceit or falsehood as an element of the offence.

Trafficking in identity information

(2) Everyone commits an offence who transmits, makes available, distributes, sells or offers for sale another person's identity information, or has it in their possession for any of those purposes, knowing that or being reckless as to whether the information will be used to commit an indictable offence that includes fraud, deceit or falsehood as an element of the offence.

(3) For the purposes of subsections (1) [ identity theft] and (2) [ trafficking in identity information], an indictable offence referred to in either of those subsections includes an offence under any of the following sections:

(a) section 57 (forgery of or uttering forged passport);

(b) section 58 (fraudulent use of certificate of citizenship);

(c) section 130 (personating peace officer);

(d) section 131 (perjury);

(e) section 342 (theft, forgery, etc., of credit card);

(f) section 362 (false pretence or false statement);

(g) section 366 (forgery);

(h) section 368 (use, trafficking or possession of forged document);

(i) section 380 (fraud); and

(j) section 403 (identity fraud).

Jurisdiction

(4) An accused who is charged with an offence under subsection (1) [ identity theft] or (2) [ trafficking in identity information] may be tried and punished by any court having jurisdiction to try that offence in the place where the offence is alleged to have been committed or in the place where the accused is found, is arrested or is in custody. However, no proceeding in respect of the offence shall be commenced in a province without the consent of the Attorney General of that province if the offence is alleged to have been committed outside that province.

(5) Everyone who commits an offence under subsection (1) [ identity theft] or (2) [ trafficking in identity information]

(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or

(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

Draft Form of Charges

"THAT [accused full name] stands charged that, between the <DATE> day of <MONTH>, <YEAR> and <DATE> day of <MONTH>, <YEAR>***, at or near <COMMUNITY/TOWN/CITY>, <PROVINCE>, he [or she]..." OR

"THAT [accused full name] stands charged that, on or about the <DATE> day of <MONTH>, <YEAR>, at or near <COMMUNITY/TOWN/CITY>, <PROVINCE>, he [or she]..." OR

"AND FURTHER at the same time and place aforesaid, he [or she]..."

Code Section

Subject of Offence

Draft Wording

403

"..., contrary to section 403 of the Criminal Code.

Proof of the Offence

Sections 402.2 outlines two offences.

Proving Identity Theft under s. 402.2(1) should include:

1. the culprit obtained or possessed another persons' identity information;

2. the circumstances of the act give rise "to a reasonable inference that the information [was] intended to be used to commit an indictable offence that includes fraud, deceit or falsehood as an element of the offence"

3. the culprit was aware of the circumstances that give rise to the inference.

4. the indictable offence was one or more of the following:

1. section 57 (forgery of or uttering forged passport);

2. section 58 (fraudulent use of certificate of citizenship);

3. section 130 (personating peace officer);

4. section 342 (theft, forgery, etc., of credit card);

5. section 362 (false pretence or false statement);

6. section 368 (use, trafficking or possession of forged document);

7. section 403 (identity fraud).

Proving Trafficking in Identity Information under s. 402.2(2) should include:

1. if none of the prohibited acts apply, possession of the thing "for any of those purposes";

2. the thing was another person's identity information;

3. the culprit was aware or "reckless" as to "whether the information will be used to commit an indictable offence"

4. the indictable offence was one or more of the following:

1. section 57 (forgery of or uttering forged passport);

2. section 58 (fraudulent use of certificate of citizenship);

3. section 130 (personating peace officer);

4. section 342 (theft, forgery, etc., of credit card);

5. section 362 (false pretence or false statement);

6. section 368 (use, trafficking or possession of forged document);

7. section 403 (identity fraud).

Interpretation of the Offence

Identity Defined

Definition of "identity information"

402.1 For the purposes of sections 402.2 [ identity theft] and 403 [identity fraud], "identity information" means any information - including biological or physiological information - of a type that is commonly used alone or in combination with other information to identify or purport to identify an individual, including a fingerprint, voice print, retina image, iris image, DNA profile, name, address, date of birth, written signature, electronic signature, digital signature, user name, credit card number, debit card number, financial institution account number, passport number, Social Insurance Number, health insurance number, driver's licence number or password.
2009, c. 28, s. 10.
[ annotation(s) added]

"Personation"

A person does not commit the offence of "personation" merely by adopting a false identity or the use of a pseudonym. The offence requires a fraudulent purpose.

The person being assumed should be real, either alive or dead, and not simply a fictitious creation. The accused must be shown to have attempted to take on the identity of the person, and not simply use a name of a person living or dead. Often this can be proven by inference.

"Transmits, Makes Available, etc"

Participation of Third Parties

See also: Role of the Victim and Third Parties and Testimonial Aids for Young, Disabled or Vulnerable Witnesses

Testimonial Aids

Certain persons who testify are entitled to make application for the use of testimonial aids: Exclusion of Public (s. 486), Use of a Testimonial Screen (s. 486), Access to Support Person While Testifying (s. 486.1), Close Proximity Video-link Testimony (s. 486.2), Self-Represented Cross-Examination Prohibition Order (s. 486.3), and Witness Security Order (s. 486.7).

A witness, victim or complainant may also request publication bans (s. 486.4, 486.5) and/or a Witness Identity Non-disclosure Order (s. 486.31). See also, Publication Bans, above.

For any indictable offence with a maximum penalty no less than 5 years (including offences under s. 402.2), but are not serious personal injury offences, s. 606(4.2) requires that after accepting a guilty plea, the judge must inquire whether "any of the victims had advised the prosecutor of their desire to be informed if such an agreement were entered into, and, if so, whether reasonable steps were taken to inform that victim of the agreement". Failing to take reasonable steps at guilty plea requires the prosecutor to "as soon as feasible, take reasonable steps to inform the victim of the agreement and the acceptance of the plea" (s. 606(4.3)).

Under s. 738, a judge must inquire from the Crown before sentencing whether "reasonable steps have been taken to provide the victims with an opportunity to indicate whether they are seeking restitution for their losses and damages".

Under s. 722(2), the judge must inquire "[a]s soon as feasible" before sentencing with the Crown "if reasonable steps have been taken to provide the victim with an opportunity to prepare" a victim impact statement. This will include any person "who has suffered, or is alleged to have suffered, physical or emotional harm, property damage or economic loss" as a result of the offence. Individuals representing a community impacted by the crime may file a statement under s. 722.2.

Sentencing Principles and Ranges

See also: Purpose and Principles of Sentencing, Sentencing Factors Relating to the Offender, and Sentencing Factors Relating to the Offence

Sentencing Profile

Offences under s. 402.2 are hybrid. If prosecuted by indictment, the maximum penalty is 5 years incarceration. If prosecuted by summary conviction, the maximum penalty is 2 years less a day jail and/or a $5,000 fine (from Sept 19, 2019).

These offences have no mandatory minimum penalties.

Available Dispositions

All dispositions are available.The judge may order a discharge (s. 730), suspended sentence (s. 731(1)(a)), fine (s. 731(1)(b)), custody (s. 718.3, 787), custody with probation (s. 731(1)(b)), custody with a fine (s. 734), or a conditional sentence (s. 742.1).

Consecutive Sentences

There are no statutory requirements that the sentences be consecutive.

Ancillary Sentencing Orders

General Sentencing Orders

Non-communication order while offender in custody (s. 743.21)

any

The judge has the discretion to order that the offender be prohibited "from communicating...with any victim, witness or other person" while in custody except where the judge "considers [it] necessary" to communicate with them.

Restitution Orders (s. 738)

any

A discretionary Order is available for things such as the replacement value of the property; the pecuniary damages incurred from harm, expenses fleeing a domestic partner; or certain expenses arising from the commission of an offence under s.402.2 or 403.

Victim Fine Surcharge (s. 737)

any

A discretionary surcharge under s. 737 of 30% of any fine order imposed, $100 per summary conviction or $200 per indictable conviction. If the offence occurs on or after October 23, 2013, the order has smaller minimum amounts (15%, $50, or $100).

General Forfeiture Orders

Forfeiture

Conviction

Description

Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime (s. 462.37(1) or (2.01))

any

Where there is a finding of guilt for an indictable offence under the Code or the CDSA in which property is "proceeds of crime" and offence was "committed in relation to that property", the property shall be forfeited to Her Majesty the Queen on application of the Crown.

Fine in Lieu of Forfeiture (s. 462.37(3))

any

Where a Court is satisfied an order for the forfeiture of proceeds of crime under s. 462.37(1) or (2.01) can be made, but that property cannot be "made subject to an order", then the Court "may" order a fine in "an amount equal to the value of the property". Failure to pay the fine will result in a default judgement imposing a period of incarceration.

Forfeiture of Weapons or Firearms (s. 491)

any

Where there is finding of guilt for an offence where a "weapon, an imitation firearm, a prohibited device, any ammunition, any prohibited ammunition or an explosive substance was used in the commission of [the] offence and that thing has been seized and detained", or "that a person has committed an offence that involves, or the subject-matter of which is, a firearm, a cross-bow, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or an explosive substance has been seized and detained, that the item be an enumerated weapon or related item be connected to the offence", then there will be a mandatory forfeiture order. However, under s. 491(2), if the lawful owner "was not a party to the offence" and the judge has "no reasonable grounds to believe that the thing would or might be used in the commission of an offence", then it should be returned to the lawful owner.

Forfeiture of Offence-related Property (s. 490.1)

any

Where there is a finding of guilt for an indictable offence, "any property is offence-related property" where (a) by means or in respect of which an indictable offence under this Act or the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act is committed, (b) that is used in any manner in connection with the commission of such an offence, or (c) that is intended to be used for committing such an offence". Such property is to be forfeited to Her Majesty in right of the province.

Record Suspensions and Pardons

Convictions under s. 402.2 [identity theft and trafficking in ID info] are eligible for record suspensions pursuant to s. 3 and 4 of the Criminal Records Act after 5 years after the expiration of sentence for summary conviction offences and 10 years after the expiration of sentence for all other offences. The offender may not have the record suspended where the offender was (1) convicted of 3 or more offences with a maximum penalty of life, and (2) for each 3 offences he "was sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more".

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Offences relating to identity theft are found in Part X of the Criminal Code relating to "Fraudulent Transactions Relating to Contracts and Trade". Offences under s. 402.2 are hybrid with a Crown election. If prosecuted by indictment, there is a Defence election of Court under s.

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This website communicates what identity theft insurance is, how it is useful for the public, and it’s coverages. Insurance coverage for identity theft can be covered by major insurance companies such as Allstate, State Farm, and major bank corporations such as TD insurance. Coverage can vary depending on the company, typical cost are around $25-60 a year for coverage.

One thing I found helpful on this website is that it list your rights as a victim where the reader can learn their rights as opposed to opting for identity theft insurance as the first option. I choose this website because it is helpful as this website list different options for the reader to choose.

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Image: Shot of a young woman using a laptop in a cafe

Editorial Note: Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn't affect our editors' opinions. Our marketing partners don't review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It's accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Advertiser Disclosure

Identity theft insurance isn't likely to protect you from much financial loss.

In 2017, identity theft was the second-most-common complaint reported by consumers to the Federal Trade Commission. That's a scary thought that might prompt you to start shopping for identity theft insurance. But in reality, individual consumers typically suffer little financial loss from identity theft - and correcting problems isn't usually very difficult. Instead of wasting money on insurance, just know your rights and follow best practices to help safeguard your identity.

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What is identity theft insurance?

Identity theft insurance - which you can purchase from major insurers, like Allstate, Liberty Mutual or State Farm, through an add-on to your property policy - covers expenses incurred to restore your identity. Although policies vary, typically you'd be covered for ...

Loss of wages

Notary fees

Certified mailing fees

Public records searches

Monitoring chat rooms and black market websites for information

But contrary to popular belief, these policy add-ons usually don't pay for direct monetary losses, such as money stolen from your bank account. Policies may also cap your coverage if your identity is stolen, or may have deductibles requiring you to pay a few hundred dollars out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in.

How much does identity theft insurance cost?

Premiums for an identity theft insurance policy can range in price depending on where you live and how comprehensive the coverage is. Typical costs are around $25 to $60 per year, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Identity theft insurance premiums may cost more than most victims are likely to lose

Since premiums are so low, you may think it makes sense to buy identity theft insurance just in case something goes wrong and your identity is stolen.

For most victims, however, there'd be no losses for insurance to cover. One 2015 report from the U.S. Department of Justice found just 13.8% of identity theft victims experienced any out-of-pocket losses at all - and just 6.1% experienced the indirect losses that identity theft insurance can cover. Of those who lost money, about half lost less than $100 total, while the median indirect loss was just $30.

Your low rate of out-of-pocket expenses is explained by laws capping direct loss, as well as rules designed to mitigate the impact of ID theft. As long as you report fraudulent transactions or stolen or lost cards promptly, maximum losses for bank account and credit card accounts are typically capped at $50 or less. And identity theft victims have various rights to ensure negative information caused by fraudulent actors is removed from their credit reports.

While resolving ID theft problems can take time, for most people the process is more of a headache than a disaster. In fact, the U.S. Department of Justice found that half of all identity theft victims surveyed took a day or less to resolve all problems - and just 9% took more than a month. Many people spent about seven hours total dealing with issues, which is hardly enough time to justify an insurance claim.

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Knowing your rights is better protection than buying insurance

Instead of paying for insurance, spend a few minutes learning about your rights so you can respond if you fall victim to identity theft.

If you've been victimized, you have the right to ...

Obtain a free personalized recovery plan. You can report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission. When you do, you'll be provided with a free step-by-step recovery plan, including prefilled forms. You'll also be provided with an FTC identity theft report.

Dispute fraudulent information, have it removed from your credit reports, and prevent creditors from reporting fraudulent accounts. By providing creditors and credit-reporting agencies with a copy of your identity theft report from the FTC, you can check if negative information resulting from identity theft could be hurting your credit scores or marring your credit reports. Creditors have just four business days from the time they accept the identity theft report to block the fraudulent information from showing up on your record.

Stop collections activities. Creditors cannot turn over debts incurred because of identity theft to collectors once you've provided them with an identity theft report, and debt collectors typically must stop trying to contact you once you've sent them a letter requesting they desist.

Place a fraud alert on your credit that can last up to seven years. A free fraud alert can be placed with the three major consumer credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The alert makes anyone accessing your reports aware that you may be a victim of fraud or identity theft. If you place a fraud alert with any one bureau, it must notify the others. An extended fraud alert can remain in effect for up to seven years. The links above should help, but here's how to contact each major credit bureau.

Freeze your credit. This is a step beyond a fraud alert. When you've frozen your credit, no one - including you - can access your credit reports until you unfreeze it. Freezes can remain in effect until you unfreeze (but lift automatically after seven years in some states). Under a law that went into effect Sept. 21, 2018, credit bureaus will be required to let consumers freeze and unfreeze their credit reports free of charge.

These laws, combined with regulations limiting the losses of fraud that was reported in a timely manner, have made resolving identity theft problems relatively easy for victims - even without help that could have come from having an insurance policy.

Bottom line

Identity theft insurance usually doesn't provide much monetary coverage. On top of that, you might not incur big losses if you're a victim of identity theft anyway - so skip paying for a policy and take a few minutes to learn your rights. And since it's typically easier to resolve identity theft issues when you catch the problem quickly, be sure to regularly check your credit reports and scores for any signs of trouble.

One way is to use free credit-monitoring tools, like credit monitoring from Credit Karma. The service from Credit Karma can alert you when there are important changes on your TransUnion® or Equifax® credit reports, which can help you spot errors.

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Is Identity Theft Insurance Worth It? | Credit Karma

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Image: Shot of a young woman using a laptop in a cafe Editorial Note: Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn't affect our editors' opinions. Our marketing partners don't review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It's accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

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This video reveals exactly what identity theft is and how someone can be a victim. It reveals the different ways a person can steal someone’s information, this included stealing physical information, social engineering, phishing, malware, and data breaches. It includes ways you can protect yourself such as shredding your personal information before disposing them in the trash.

One thing I found helpful was the steps you can take if you have been a victim such as freezing your financial support or checking and freezing your credit report. I choose this video as it presents with a well-made informative graphic and is simple to understand by individuals.

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Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)

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This video reveals many individuals stories and how they were a victim of identity theft. It goes to the extent where one individual had a home loan under his name that he did not apply for. Another individual had won the jackpot from stealing from their identity, he had lost $80,000, 4 credit cards, and an apartment with all utilities.

One thing I found useful was the individuals who were victims gave their tips and ways you can protect yourself, I choose this video as it shows anyone can be a victim and you can lose anything that is valuable.

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People Share Identity Theft Stories // Presented by BuzzFeed & Experian

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Did you purchase 6 iguanas, a parakeet and an ant farm in Texas? Get answers to your credit questions. http://www.experian.com/education

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This video reveals a scenario where two woman had been a victim of identity theft, the first woman had entered a mysterious contest in her email, she had entered this contest and a week later she got a message stating she had won the prize of $50, 000 dollars. For the woman to claim the prize she was asked to provide her account and credit card information, later at the end of the month it showed that her bank account was wiped. That was not all that happened, they used her information for things she did not consent to.

One thing I found helpful in this video was that it showed a realistic scenario and it shows how these scams can seem genuine. I choose this video as it showed how little information the criminals need to drive someone into bankruptcy and take a long time to recover.

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Identity theft is stealing personal information for criminal purposes. Cloaked in your stolen identity, a fraudster can cash your cheques, raid your bank account, use your credit cards and even put a large mortgage on your house. This crime, which is happening more and more frequently, is carried out in stores and banks, over the phone, and through the mail and the Internet.

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This graphic express that once a person has had access to your information they can go ahead to be you.

I found this useful as it shows the person having a “mask on” representing that they have access to your identity. I choose this graphic because it shows they can do things that you did give consent to or know what is happening, showing how dangerous it can be.

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Here you will learn about identity theft through various websites, articles, videos, and images. Identity theft can happen to anyone in Canada regardless of your age, education or where you live. Identity theft are considered criminal offences in Canada,  as anyone can be a victim it is important to keep your finances and your identity protected.