AVOIDING IDENTITY THEFT
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In short identity theft is a crime. Identity theft is a term used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.
With enough identifying information about an individual, a criminal can take over that individual's identity to conduct a wide range of crimes: for example, false applications for loans and credit cards, fraudulent withdrawals from bank accounts, fraudulent use of telephone calling cards, or obtaining other goods or privileges which the criminal might be denied if he were to use his real name. If the criminal takes steps to ensure that bills for the falsely obtained credit cards, or bank statements showing the unauthorized withdrawals, are sent to an address other than the victim's, the victim may not become aware of what is happing until the criminal has already inflicted substantial damage on the victim's assets, credit, and reputation.
Below are some useful guidelines to protect yourself against identity theft:
Be stingy about giving out your personal information to others unless you have a reason to entrust it to them, regardless of where you are. If someone you don't know calls you on the telephone and offers you the chance to receive a "major" credit card, a prize, or other valuable item, but asks you for personal data -- such as your current credit card number or it’s expiration date, or mother's maiden name -- ask them to send you a written application form, then verify if the offer is authentic.
Check your financial information regularly, and look for what should be there and what shouldn't. If you have chequing or credit card accounts, you should be receiving monthly statements that list transactions for the most recent month or reporting period, you should then be able to detect any irregularity.
Ask periodically for a copy of your credit report. Your credit report should list all bank and financial accounts under your name, and will provide other indications of whether someone has wrongfully opened or used any accounts in your name.
Maintain careful records of your banking and financial accounts.
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