Identity Theft can happen to you!  Protect your personal information to reduce the risk of someone stealing it to commit a crime in your name.

If you suspect that you have given your personal information to a fraudster, take these steps to protect yourself:

• Call your financial institution immediately to report the incident and change your account numbers.
• call your credit card company immediately to cancel your credit card and have a new one issued with a different number.
• Contact local police to report the crime.

Ever been "phished"?

If you have an e-mail account, chances are you have received "phishing" e-mails - messages designed to fool recipients into thinking that they're from real companies - such as your bank.

These e-mails are meant to lure people into providing information, such as bank passwords or account numbers.  Armed with that information, criminals can steal your money or your identity.

• Never reply to e-mails requesting personal or financial information.  Banks are reputable businesses and don't send unsolicited e-mails requesting this information.
• Keep your computer's anti-spyware up-to-date.

Don't believe any threats in a phising e-mail.  if you're worried, use information that you already have (e.g., the phone number provided on the back of your credit card or on your billing invoice to check the company directly).

It is best to stay in the know.

Visit the Ministry of Consumer services at www.ontario.ca/consumerprotection or call 416-326-8800 in the GTA or toll-free at 1-800-889-9768

If you would like to see how Identity Theft and other forms of fraud are occuring, have a look at the RCMP website by clicking here and go to the dropdown menu called "Trends & Statistics"

    Deborah Gilmore...Your Trusted Source For Anything Real Estate!