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Originally posted by web2000
I can say NO if I receive the credit card offer. But why the person who wants to misuse my information will say NO? His interest is to misuse my information. Identity theft means that you are not aware of that your information is being used by someone else.

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Originally posted by zorro

But I really want to know the solution when I want to live inside this society, use the banks, use my credit card, apply for mortgage and file my taxes.

And BTW, shredders are no great help these days. There was a story on NBC recently, where the identity thief put together all the shredded paper with the tape, and were able to apply for credit card, apply for mortgage. He was a criminal, so the victim also got an arrest warrant on his name.

Guys, instead of sticking to the old, outdated solutions, try to hear out someone who actually wants to convey something. web2000, please mention your solution here for everyone's benefit.

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I came across these very good links on this subject and I am posting short details from one of the links below for every body's benefit.

http://cmcweb.ca/epic/site/cmc-cmc.nsf/vwapj/checklist_e.pdf/$file/checklist_e.pdf

http://www.rcmp.ca/scams/student_guide_e.htm



Identity Theft:
A CHECKLIST
With your identity, thieves can open new bank accounts, order cell phones, take out a mortgage on your property and buy cars or furniture.



Signs of ID Theft
• Purchases not made by you appear on your monthly bills.
• Bills arrive on accounts you don’t own.
• Collection agency calls about unknown debt.
• Credit card/bank statements don’t arrive.
• Your credit report shows mystery debts.


What to Do
• Call financial institutions and local police.
• Put a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting
• Equifax: 1-800-465-7166 and
• Trans Union: 1-877-525-3823
• (Quebec residents: 1-877-713-3393).
• To replace ID cards like health, driver’s licence, SIN call 1 800 O-Canada
• Contact Canada Post if your mail is missing.
• Keep records of steps taken to clear your name and re-establish your credit.
• Help stop fraud. Contact PhoneBusters at 1-888-495-8501 or phonebusters.com
• For more information on Identity Theft visit http://www.ConsumerInformation.ca" rel="nofollow">LINK

Identity Theft:
A CHECKLIST
Identity (ID) theft is serious. It occurs when someone steals your personal information to commit a crime. While you can’t entirely control whether you will become a victim there are ways to minimize the risk.
Guard Your Personal Information
• Never give personal information by phone, Internet or mail unless you initiate the contact.
• Be careful about sharing personal information and don’t give out more than you need to.
• Shield your PIN, and never lend cards.
• Report missing credit or debit cards.
• Carry only the ID you need.
• Put other ID documents (SIN, birth certificate, passport) in a safe place.
• Shred documents with personal information.
• SIN is only for employment and tax reporting.
• Ask about the security of your information at work, with businesses and charities.
• Guard your Computer and its Information
• Select a complex password of letters, numbers and symbols.
• Install firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware and security software-update often.
• Don’t try, don’t buy and don’t reply to spam or emails that ask for banking information.
• For online transactions, look for https://, a closed lock or an unbroken key icon.
• When disposing of hard drives, use overwrite software or destroy the drive.

IDENTITY THEFT:
Recognize it.
Report it.
Stop it.

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Pramod Chopra
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Mortgage Alliance Company of Canada

SIN number (and its counterpart - the SSN in the US) are about the worst abused piece of confidential information.

Everyone wants it - from the taxman (for which it was originally intended), to your credit card company, to your dentist and even your barber

Most insurance companies use the SIN (or the SSN) as your member certificate number.
Mine does, too.
As a result, I have my SIN number etched prominently on my health card, which I carry everywhere obviously.

It was the same way even in the US where the dentist used the SSN as the Patient#

It's easy for the Govt. (HRDC in Canada and SSA in US) to say that don't use your SIN/SSN for anything other than tax purposes, but the world doesn't work that way.

Govt. says that you have the right to refuse to give out your SIN/SSN to anyone other than tax authorities, but they also have the right to refuse you service without that information.

For example, my Dr. wouldn't set up an appt. without the SSN.

I actually called SSA to discuss this and the conversation went as follows -

Me -- "The dr. office wants my SS Number. Why should they need it?"
SSA -- "They have no need for it. You have the right to refuse. "
Me -- "But they are saying they won't provide me services without it."
[Silence]
Me -- "So what should I do now?"
SSA -- "...it's up to you. We can't control their decision to provide services or not.".

Go figure.

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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."

-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"

Thank you very much Pramod for providing the valuable information on this forum. I have come across a problem with remembering PIN and password as we have to remember a lot many of them in Canada and we have to frequently change it. Any remedy or technique to remember them

I just give u guys a couple of days to think about a possible solution. I already had a discussion going on some other forums. Then I will compile my ideas and discuss if there is any flaw I overlooked.

Thanks for your patience.

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Originally posted by web2000
I just give u guys a couple of days to think about a possible solution.

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I already had a discussion going on some other forums. Then I will compile my ideas and discuss if there is any flaw I overlooked.
Thanks for your patience.

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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."

-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"