Reclaiming Your Identity

The following steps can help you straighten out the damage done by identity theft and help you regain control.

Credit or debit card accounts: If you discover that an identity thief has changed the billing address on an existing account, close the account. When you open a new account, ask that a password be used before any inquiries or changes can be made on the account.

Bank accounts: If you have reason to believe that an identity thief has tampered with your bank accounts, cheques or ATM card, close the accounts immediately. When you open new accounts, insist on password-only access to minimize the chance that an identity thief can violate the accounts.

In addition, if your cheques have been stolen or misused, contact your bank to obtain stop payment instructions. Also, ask your bank to notify the cheque verification service with which it does business.

If your ATM card has been lost, stolen or otherwise compromised, cancel the card as soon as you can and get another with a new PIN.

Phone service: If an identity thief has established new phone service in your name, is making unauthorized calls that seem to come from - and are billed to - your cellular phone, or is using your calling card and PIN, contact your service provider immediately to cancel the account and/or calling card. Open new accounts and choose new PINs.

Government-issued documents: If government-issued documents (such as driver’s licence, birth certificate or passport) have been lost or stolen, notify the issuing authority immediately to have the document cancelled and a new one issued.

• Social Insurance Number – contact Service Canada • Driver’s License – contact your province’s Ministry of Transportation • Passport – contact The Department of Foreign Affairs Canada • Canadian Citizenship Card – contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Criminal records/arrests: In rare instances, an identity thief may create a criminal record under your name. For example, your imposter may give your name when being arrested. If this happens to you, you may need to hire an attorney to help resolve the problem. The procedures for clearing your name may vary by province.