Apr 12

Written by: Joe Longo
Saturday, April 12, 2008 

Detective Constable Tracy McCabe of the Central Fraud Unit of the Niagara Regional Police will give a free talk and provide advice on how to avoid being a victim of identity theft and fraud on April 23 at 7pm at the Victoria Avenue Library. Cosponsored with Niagara North Community Legal Assistance, identity theft is of growing concern among residents of all ages.

Borrow library books such as “Stealing your life : the ultimate identity theft prevention plan” by Frank W. Abagnale. “ Identity theft protection” by Tony Crawford and “Phishing : Cutting the Identity Theft Line” by Rachael Lininger.

Borrow the library’s DVD “Identity theft” which presents information for young adults on how to protect themselves from having their identities stolen. Many teens have enjoyed the book “Lulu Dark can see through walls” . There is even a new Hardy Boys graphic novel called “Identity Theft” by Scott Lobdell.

Adult novels about identity theft include “The Namedropper” by Brian Freemantle, “Here She Lies” by Kate Pepper, “I gave you my heart, but you sold it online” by Dixie Cash and “Talk talk” by T. Coraghessan Boyle.

Newspaper announcements may provide your age, birth date, anniversary, maiden name, or even the names of relatives. Some Internet chat programs include fields for your name, gender, age, occupation, and other data. Web sites may ask for your mother's maiden name or Social Insurance Number. Some Internet browsers enable you to enter your credit card information for online purchases.

Your garbage may have bank and credit card statements, copies of cheques or other records. This gives the criminal the ability to access your financial accounts or apply for credit in your name. Discarded pre-approved credit applications may be taken and criminals may check your mailbox after applying for the card and steal the card when it finally arrives at your home

With personal data, criminals can make unauthorized withdrawals from your bank accounts, obtain credit your name and may even take over your identity altogether. They could forge a drivers license or birth certificate and then apply for other forms of legitimate identification, such as a health card or Social Insurance Number card, and then apply for loans, credit cards, and other accounts or items that are profitable for them.

The victim may be unaware that anything is wrong. Without knowing, a criminal could be driving them into debt, stealing their assets, and damaging their reputation and credit rating.

Protect yourself by attending this helpful talk.