Your online guide to getting ahead financially
By Graham Barber

Is your identity protected?

Identity theft sounds like a sci-fiterror, but in fact it is becoming more and more common. In the United States, 161,819 cases of identity theft were reported in 2002, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In Canada, PhoneBusters - a national call centre operated by law enforcement agencies - says that 7,400 cases were reported in 2002.

What is identity theft? Identity theft is the unauthorized collection and use of your personal information - name, address, credit card number, Social Insurance Number - for criminal purposes. Armed with this information, identity thieves can take over your financial affairs, open new bank accounts, transfer bank balances, apply for loans and credit cards, and make unauthorized

purchases. This can have devastating financial consequences and damage your credit rating.

How you can help prevent it?

The proliferation of computers and electronic communications is one area where criminals can get access to your personal information. For some practical tips on how to protect your online activities, link to your online safety checkup.

The following steps can also help to protect your identity. Always be wary. Don't reveal personal information, such as a credit card number, to telemarketers - however appealing the pitch.

Guard your mail. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office.

Promptly remove mail from your home mailbox. If you are going out of town, have someone collect it for you while you are away. If you are moving, arrange to change your address well ahead of time.

Move lightly about the world. Try not to carry too much personal information with you. If your I.D. or credit cards are lost or stolen, notify the police and your credit card company immediately. And don't, under any circumstance, carry your SIN card with you.

Shred personal information. An identity thief will not hesitate to trifle through your garbage or recycling bins. Be sure to tear or shred receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, and credit offers you get in the mail.

Any letters or documents that contain personal information or your address should be cut up or shredded before they are recycled. Investing in a small document shredder is not a bad idea.

Keep your receipts. When you use a bank machine or pay by debit, don't leave your receipts behind.

Use your body. Always shield the keypad when using bank machines or point of sale terminals to reduce the risk of someone "shoulder surfing" your PIN numbers.

Hold onto your credit cards. Lend your books or DVDs, not your credit cards. Sign a new credit card as soon as you receive it.

Chat anonymously. Never provide your real name or address in a chat room (it's also more fun this way), and never give out personal passwords to your Internet service provider.

Review your accounts. Carefully review your bank statements, credit card statements, utility bills, cellular telephone bills, ecetera, for unauthorized charges as soon as you receive them.

If you suspect unauthorized use, contact the customer service and fraud departments immediately.

Make a list. Keep a list of all your credit cards and bank accounts along with their account numbers, expiration dates, and credit limits, as well as the telephone numbers of customer service and fraud departments. Store this list in a safe place.