Protecting Your Credit

If you've just realized you're a victim of credit fraud, you're not alone. Recent statistics indicate that credit card fraud has been steadily growing since 1990. In 2002, more than 796,000 credit cards were reported lost or stolen - and over 136,000 were used fraudulently. Are you next? How can you protect your credit? For starters, recognize that protecting your credit involves protecting your identity. Like many other Canadians who have fallen victim to credit fraud, you can take certain steps to protect your credit record. Here's how:

Call the Fraud Departments of these Credit Bureaus to report a fraud crime and restore your credit history to an accurate state:

• Report any fraud incidents to the police (and get an incident or report number)
• Report all stolen cards to their issuers and request new credit cards (in writing)
• Report any unauthorized items on your credit card and bank account statements
• Contact Human Resources Development Canada if somebody is using your Social Insurance Number
• Obtain new bank accounts, ABM cards and passwords
• Notify Canada Post if your credit card or bank statements have not been delivered to your home

• A creditor notifies you that a credit application has been received with your name and address (and you never completed this application)
• You've been approved or denied by a creditor via telephone or mail (and you didn't apply for credit from this creditor)
• You get credit card statements or other bills in your name (and you never applied for them)
• You no longer receive credit card statements by mail (or you don't receive all your mail)
• You've been informed that you have a credit account in default (and you never opened the account)

Visit Equifax Canada for some helpful tips on how to protect your credit and reduce your chances of becoming a victim of fraud.