The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Consumers' Bureau is urging Manitobans to be cautious with personal information and sensitive documents to minimize the risk of personal or identifying information being used for fraud or crime. Developed by the Consumer Measures Committee (CMC), a new information sheet called Tips for Reducing the Risk of Identity Theft is now available at www.gov.mb.ca/identitytheft. The tip sheet identifies the following signs that your identity may have been stolen: Your bills and statements don't arrive when they are supposed to. You receive calls from collection agencies or creditors for an account you don't have or an account that has unknown charges. Financial account statements show withdrawals or transfers you didn't make. A creditor calls to say you've been approved or denied credit for which you haven't applied. You get credit card statements for accounts you don't have. You apply for credit and are turned down for reasons that do not match your understanding of your financial position. The Consumers' Bureau advises that personal information can be protected in the following ways: Carry only the documents or certificates that you will need that day. Do not carry birth certificates, social insurance cards and other materials unless they are needed. Put birth certificates, social insurance cards, passports etc. in a secure location. Immediately call the issuer, such as a bank or government, if important documents such as birth certificates, driver licenses, passports, bank cards or credit cards are lost or stolen. Store wills, stocks, bonds, marriage certificates, etc. in a security deposit box rather than at home. Shield the entry of your personal identification number (PIN) when making a transaction. Cut up and dispose of expired or unused credit cards and debit cards. Shred or destroy sensitive personal documents before disposing of them. Beware of phone, mail or Internet promotions that ask for personal information. Ask how personal information will be used.
