Tag: identity theft

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HOW TO PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT: RECOGNIZE IF YOU’RE A VICTIM

how to prevent identity theft, identity theft, credit report, collection agencies, data breach, trustee, insolvency, starting over starting now, Vaughan bankruptcy trusteeHow to prevent identity theft. In our last blog we discussed Identity Theft: Are You at Risk? This week we’ll be discussing how to recognize if you’re a victim of identity theft.

The best way to know how to prevent identity theft, or at least minimize the impact of identity theft, is to recognize the signs early. Monitor your hard copy or online financial accounts frequently. Check your credit report on a regular basis because unexpected changes to your credit information are often the first signs that you’ve been victimized by identity theft.

Knowing what to look for is how to prevent identity theft. These are the signs that you are a victim of identity theft:

  • There are withdrawals from your bank account that you didn’t make.
  • Your regular bank or credit card statements fail to appear.
  • You notice that other mail is missing.
  • You receive credit card statements or other bills in your name, which you did not apply for.
  • Telephone calls or letters state that you have been approved or denied by a creditor that you never applied to.
  • Collection agencies call you about debts that aren’t yours.
  • A company that you have an account with had a data breach and your information was compromised.
  • You find accounts and/or charges on your credit report that aren’t yours.
  • You are denied a loan even though you believe that you have an excellent credit report.

How to prevent identity theft requires constant monitoring of the signs listed above. If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, sadly we can’t turn back the clock; but if you’re in financial jeopardy as a result and you have collection agencies hounding you, we can help.

Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is an insolvency and financial restructuring practice for individuals and companies in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) facing financial crisis. Our approach for every file is to create an outcome where Starting Over, Starting Now becomes a reality, beginning the moment you walk in the door. Contact us today, your Vaughan bankruptcy trustee, and put your financial problems behind you.

Watch for our next blog when we’ll be discussing Identity Theft – What To Do If You’re A Victim.

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Brandon Blog Post

IDENTITY THEFT: ARE YOU AT RISK?

identity theft, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Home Depot, Target, Canada Revenue Agency, malware, spyware, viruses, phishing, spear fishing, hackingIdentity theft is a hot topic these days and whether you realize it or not, you are at risk. Identify theft is on the rise and it can happen to anyone.

What is Identity Theft? According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, identity theft refers to the preparatory stage of acquiring and collecting someone else’s personal information for criminal purposes. As of January 8, 2010, Senate Bill S-4 became law, making it illegal to possess another person’s identity information for criminal purposes.

Who is at risk? In short, everyone is at risk. Identity theft is a threat to anyone who has a credit card, owns real estate, pays taxes, owns insurance… In the last year alone major retailers have had their payment systems hacked, compromising the personal information of millions of customers. Home Depot had 56 million cards compromised; Target had 40 million. Global News reported that there have been nearly 4,000 privacy and data breaches in federal departments over the last year or so. The worst offender was the Canada Revenue Agency.

How do thieves acquire someone else’s personal information? In addition to widespread data breaches, the classic examples of identity theft techniques are rummaging through people’s garbage and/or stealing their mail in order to obtain bank statements, credit card statements, driver’s license or healthcare card renewals – any piece of mail with personal information. Of course the Internet has allowed for much more sophisticated and elaborate forms of identity theft – malware, spyware, viruses, phishing, spear fishing and hacking are effective ways to collect personal information.

If you’re a victim of identity theft then no doubt you’re in the midst of some serious financial issues right now that require the help of a professional trustee. Contact the Ira Smith team as soon as possible. Financial problems can be solved given immediate action and the right plan. Starting Over, Starting Now you can be on the road to getting your old life back.

Watch for our next blog when we’ll be discussing Identity Theft – How to Recognize if You’re a Victim.

Call a Trustee Now!