Once you have filed a report with the police you need to find all your bills, question any callers who want your information, block information from your credit report, stop businesses that may report information about you to a Credit Reporting Agency, contest bills, and expect to deal with false civil and criminal judgments. Although this is a very unpleasant thought, once you have gone through the necessary steps of going through your credit report and gathering information you must begin to secure all your personal information. Don’t leave even one stone unturned.
Expect collection agencies to call about debts that you don’t owe, or being contacted to verify a loan that you didn’t authorize, take a deep breath, grab a piece of paper and a pencil, and begin to document all communication and actions.
Make sure that your documentation is as detailed as possible. We suggest writing down names, dates, times, circumstances, and any other identifying information that will help you later.
There is a way to protect yourself and have the help of professionals, and that is by subscribing to the Identity Theft Service and Insurance provided by Invisus Direct.
Computer Forensics is widely used to identify stolen identities in financial crime cases. Such crimes may relate to the use of an individuals credit card account without their knowledge. Other crimes may relate to the use of an individuals social security number or bank account number as a false identity in the commission of a financial fraud crime. Criminals can acquire this information easily by searching through discarded trash, social engineering over the telephone or through outright theft of the data.
Once criminals have obtained the identity information, they can then use computers to their advantage to create false identification or to initiate a fraudulent financial transaction. Digital photography and computer photo editing aid the criminals in creating false photo identification and passports. Other computer tools and software make it an easy task to create counterfeit bank checks. The good news is that computer forensics methods and tools can be used by law enforcement to identify and document the computer related evidence.
Technological tools have come to aid of law enforcement in the identification of names of individuals stored on computers. Other tools have been created to quickly identify graphic images stored on a computer as files or in ambient data and other tools which identify bank account numbers and social security numbers which have been stored on computers. Some of these tools are provided free of charge to assist law enforcement agencies in identity theft investigations.
Identity theft isn’t only a concern for individuals, it has also become a significant business risk for businesses and government agencies alike. As a result, more attention is now placed on the use of shredders in businesses and the home sale of paper shredders has increased dramatically in the last five years. Credit card companies have made identity theft a priority in their product planning and with their investigators. However, in spite of these efforts, identity theft is on the rise and there seems to be no end in sight.
Every year, thousands of people are victims of identity theft, in Canada alone. Recent developments in telecommunications and computer processing make it easier for companies and consumers to reach each other, but they can also scatter your personal information more widely, making it easier for criminals to steal your identity.
What is Identity Theft? Identity theft is the unauthorized collection and use of your personal information, usually for criminal purposes.
Your name, date of birth, address, credit card, Social Insurance Number (SIN) and other personal identification numbers can be used to open credit card and bank accounts, redirect mail, establish cellular phone service, rent vehicles, equipment, or accommodation, and even secure employment.
If you suspect that someone has been using your SIN to get a job, or that your SIN has been compromised in some other way, contact Human Resources Development Canada at:
Social Insurance Registration P.O. Box 7000
Bathurst, NB E2A 4T1
E-mail: sin-nas@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
To find out more about your privacy rights, call the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada toll-free at 1-800-282-1376, or write:
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner
112 Kent Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 1H3
E-mail: info@privcom.gc.ca
Report Identity Theft crimes to the police immediately. Ask for a copy of the police report so that you can provide proof of the theft to the organizations that you will have to contact later.
Take steps to undo the damage. Avoid “credit-repair” companies: there is usually nothing they can do, and some have been known to propose a solution — establishing credit under a new identity — that is itself fraudulent.
1- Document the steps you take and the expenses you incur to clear your name and re-establish your credit.
2- Cancel your credit cards and get new ones issued. Ask the creditors about accounts tampered with or opened fraudulently in your name.
3- Have your credit report annotated to reflect the identity theft. Do a follow-up check three months after to ensure that someone has not tried to use your identity again.
4- Close your bank accounts and open new ones. Insist on password-only access to them.
5- Get new bank machine and telephone calling cards, with new passwords or personal identification numbers.
6- In the case of passport theft, advise the Passport Office.
7- Contact the Post Office if you suspect that someone is diverting your mail.
8- Advise your telephone, cable, and utilities that someone using your name could try to open new accounts fraudulently.
Two Business Entrepreneurs, Bill Wardell and David C Ballard, have both committed to implement the strategies they have learned over the past 50 years of combined business experience.
Bill and Dave want to invite you to watch as they develop their online personalities and blend it with their market niche. Both have a presence online and have a passion for protecting the innocent from the pervasive and pandemic scourge from cybercriminals, predators, and identity thieves lurking on the Internet.
It’s all about: “Simplify Your Life and Securing Your Lifestyle“.
Computers were made for processing not for security. The problem is too many of us have the desire for instant gratification and because of that most are willing to sacrifice security for convenience and that is being short sighted.
Bill and Dave recognize when a good idea’s time has come and both are wiling to become the students in order to teach (how to fish) those who follow. Bill and Dave wanted a partnership and not a family business, so neither were willing to do the friends and family routine.
Don’t get them wrong, their friends and families are extremely important to them, just like your families are to you.
However, unlike millions of others and most likely, you, the reader, are insufficiently protected
You are welcome to join Ballard and Wardell or watch until you feel comfortable to join. Many of you need to see that the proof is in the pudding; however, Bill and Dave will make the pudding and provide you the recipe. Meanwhile they will provide you with content on how to become “Responsible Cybercitizens” for yourself, your family, and your community; keeping you out of harms-way and enjoy Hassle-Free Computing. from cybercriminals, predators and identity thieves. Ballard and Wardell know their children and family’s are safe and are enjoying a hassle-free computing experience; never to worry about the frustrations of an infected computer or the invasion of your personal privacy.
Welcome to our Identity Theft Blog. This is our first post. We are happy to announce our new blog! Here we will provide Security information and RSS Feeds regarding Internet Security Tips, Identity Theft Tips, Banking Security Tips, Shopping Security Tips, and Privacy Tips. Feel free to comment or ask questions about Internet Security issues that you are facing or that concern you.
Your Identity Defend It, is happy to announce that the site connects people who want to connect with others about internet security issues. Most homes face the prospect of having some type of internet security breach whether it comes in the face of spam, id theft, pornography, cyber bullying, and privacy issues. The Your Identity Defend It Forum is the place to discuss these issues with other like minded people who share the same concerns.
