TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 03/01/13 — Many people have heard about identity theft, but most think it is something that happens to others. The reality is that identity theft affects thousands of Canadians and much of it can be prevented.
March is Fraud Prevention Month, and the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) is reminding consumers to guard their identity, including personal and financial information, from criminals to help protect themselves from financial fraud.
“Identity theft, or the theft of personal information, can be the starting point to a range of crimes – from financial fraud and forgery to insurance fraud. That is why combating identity theft requires the cooperation and efforts of business, law enforcement, individual consumers and government,” said William J. Crate, Director, Security & Intelligence at the Canadian Bankers Association. “Consumers should be vigilant about protecting their information and there are some very simple steps that they can take to do this.”
Identity Theft Prevention Tips
Banks and other businesses have sophisticated security systems in place to protect their customers- personal and financial information. Criminals know these strong protections are very difficult to overcome, so they try to get confidential information directly from consumers.
To avoid becoming a victim, it is important for Canadians to understand what kinds of scams are out there and how they can protect themselves. Some helpful tips from the CBA include:
What to Do When Identity Theft Happens
If you think you have been a victim of identity theft, here are some important actions to take:
The CBA has released a fraud prevention video aimed at educating Canadians about the precautions they can take to prevent being a victim of identity theft. The video can be found on the CBA-s YouTube channel () and the association is also issuing helpful tips and information through Twitter () and its website throughout the month of March.
About the Fraud Prevention Forum
The is a concerned group of private sector firms, consumer and volunteer groups, government agencies and law enforcement organizations, who are committed to fighting fraud aimed at consumers and businesses. Through its partners, the Forum, which is chaired by the Competition Bureau, works to prevent Canadians from becoming victims of fraud by educating them on how to “Recognize it. Report it. Stop it.”
About the Canadian Bankers Association
The Canadian Bankers Association works on behalf of 54 domestic banks, foreign bank subsidiaries and foreign bank branches operating in Canada and their 274,000 employees. The CBA advocates for effective public policies that contribute to a sound, successful banking system that benefits Canadians and Canada-s economy. The Association also promotes financial literacy to help Canadians make informed financial decisions and works with banks and law enforcement to help protect customers against financial crime and promote fraud awareness. .
Follow the CBA on Twitter:
Watch videos:
Follow the CBA on
Contacts:
Canadian Bankers Association
Rachel Swiednicki
(416) 362-6093, ext. 220 or Cell: (416) 587-7733