Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 2:46PM ET - Canadian Markets close in 1 hour and 14 minutes.
Not too long ago, I received that dreaded phone call from my credit card company saying that my card had been compromised and they were issuing me a new one.
What a hassle!
I had to contact all the companies that automatically billed my credit card for pre-authorized payments and provide them with the new card number. But better safe than sorry.
Another time, we noticed that $500 was missing from our joint bank account but neither my husband nor I had made the withdrawal.
VICTIMS
Our bank replaced the cash, after another hassle. We've been victims twice and I'll bet that everyone reading this column has been a victim or knows someone who has been a victim of identity theft.
Identity theft has become one of the fastest growing crimes in North America. There are a number of ways identity theft can happen:
1. Card theft: Theft of credit cards from wallets or purses or even newly issued cards from your mailbox.
2. Shoulder surfing: Looking over your shoulder for your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and using a fake ATM device to read your debit card's data.
3. Skimming: Using a special device to swipe your credit card at a restaurant or gas station which records the personal information from your card.
4. Spoofing: Creating fake websites or emails that ask for credit card information.
5. Theft from databases: Identity thieves stealing large databases of personal information.
There are steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Sign all credit cards when you receive them and never lend them to anyone.
- Cancel and destroy credit cards you do not use and keep a list of the ones you use regularly.
- Carefully check each of your monthly credit card statements and your bank statements. Immediately report lost or stolen credit cards and any discrepancies in your monthly statements to the issuing credit card company or bank.
- Shred or destroy unnecessary paperwork you no longer need.
- Do not give personal information out over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you are the one who initiated the contact and know the person or organization with whom you are dealing.
If you are a victim of identity theft, immediately contact your bank or credit card company, your local police and the OPP/RCMP Phonebusters Unit at 1-888-495-8501, Email: info@phonebusters.com.
Rates provided by 
| Mortgages Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| 1-yr Closed | 3.54% |
| 3-yr Closed | 4.15% |
| 5-yr Closed | 4.97% |
| GICs Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| 1-yr Annual | 0.95% |
| 3-yr Annual | 2.12% |
| 5-yr Annual | 2.77% |
| RRSP Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| 1-yr | 0.94% |
| 3-yr | 2.09% |
| 5-yr | 2.75% |
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