How to check for identity theft?
May 29, 2010 6:48 AM Subscribe
How does one check if he's a victim of identity theft?
I'm specifically looking for advice on this in Canada, but even non-Canada-centric advice, and information about protecting yourself from identity fraud in the first place, is welcome also.
What steps does a responsible person take? What processes are in place to verify if you're a victim? Who do you even begin talking to? What shouldn't you do? How much does it cost? Thanks in advance!
I'm specifically looking for advice on this in Canada, but even non-Canada-centric advice, and information about protecting yourself from identity fraud in the first place, is welcome also.
What steps does a responsible person take? What processes are in place to verify if you're a victim? Who do you even begin talking to? What shouldn't you do? How much does it cost? Thanks in advance!
One obvious thing to do is to look at your bank and credit card statements as soon as they come in. If you're particularly concerned, I suppose you could check them online a few times every month. Another would be to check your credit reports periodically. That's available free in the US; I don't know about Canada.
Those are basic things to do to keep an eye on things. Beyond that, I don't know.
I can say, though, that I had a pretty easy time getting an error corrected by dealing directly with the credit bureaus. But that was several years ago.
posted by DrGail at 7:06 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Those are basic things to do to keep an eye on things. Beyond that, I don't know.
I can say, though, that I had a pretty easy time getting an error corrected by dealing directly with the credit bureaus. But that was several years ago.
posted by DrGail at 7:06 AM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Monitoring services are available for as little as $10 - $30 per month. Most folks needn't worry too much, the worst sort of "identity" theft they face is the occasional fraudulent charge to a credit card which is relatively easy to deal with. For those with more significant assets to protect, businesses, homes and such the monitoring services are worth it if just for the early warning. The sooner one starts protesting "that's not me" the faster such a mess can get cleaned up.
The monitoring services keep tabs on all credit / transactions done in your name so there are privacy concerns since you are giving them access to basically everything about you.
posted by TeatimeGrommit at 7:44 AM on May 29, 2010
The monitoring services keep tabs on all credit / transactions done in your name so there are privacy concerns since you are giving them access to basically everything about you.
posted by TeatimeGrommit at 7:44 AM on May 29, 2010
In regards to credit cards, I know in the US that a lot of companies will offer a credit monitoring service for a small monthly fee. You set the guidelines as to what might be suspicious actvity (purchases in foreign countries, etc...) and they notify you right away if they see it on your account.
posted by Hanuman1960 at 7:49 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by Hanuman1960 at 7:49 AM on May 29, 2010
Best answer: I am not sure whether it works similarly in Canada, but in the US you basically pull your credit report (use "annualcreditreport.com" if you haven't already, it's free once per year) and comb through all the creditors to make sure you can account for all of them. If something on there doesn't look right, then investigate it as it might be someone else who has opened it. Then when everything looks good you might want to consider a freeze on your credit report (if they offer this in Canada).
Combing through bills is worthwhile for fraudulent charges but doesn't help with identity theft since someone can't establish a line of credit using just your credit card numbers. In fact if they're really being an identity thief they're going to get a separate line of credit and get bills at their place so you don't see them until collectors start knocking.
posted by crapmatic at 8:33 AM on May 29, 2010
Combing through bills is worthwhile for fraudulent charges but doesn't help with identity theft since someone can't establish a line of credit using just your credit card numbers. In fact if they're really being an identity thief they're going to get a separate line of credit and get bills at their place so you don't see them until collectors start knocking.
posted by crapmatic at 8:33 AM on May 29, 2010
(also -- on your credit report you also look for all addresses on the file to make sure they're accurate... if one looks weird, that's a warning sign, though in some cases it can be an error in their databases)
posted by crapmatic at 8:36 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by crapmatic at 8:36 AM on May 29, 2010
Best answer: The major Canadian credit reporting agencies do offer a free annual credit report, though you must request it by mail. TransUnion Equifax (PDF)
posted by wsp at 1:04 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by wsp at 1:04 PM on May 29, 2010
Actually, you can do the equifax free credit report by phone. Coincidentally, I just ordered mine today - it was pretty easy to do, should get it mailed in 5 business days they said.
the auto-telephone is a hybrid voice recognition + dialtone, which is kind of cool.
posted by Lemurrhea at 2:20 PM on May 29, 2010
the auto-telephone is a hybrid voice recognition + dialtone, which is kind of cool.
posted by Lemurrhea at 2:20 PM on May 29, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ropeladder at 6:51 AM on May 29, 2010