ID Theft. Prevention Kit

Transcription

1 Fellowes wants to help you stay protected. Inside this kit you will find information to help prevent you from falling victim to fraud. You will also find information on what to do, and who to call, should you become a victim of identity theft.

2 Top 10 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft Shred, Shred, Shred! Invest in a good cross-cut shredder. Companies such as Fellowes make various models available at all price points (fellowes.com). Shred all old bills, bank statements, credit card bills, receipts, personal documents and anything with your name or address on it. Go paperless. Most companies (phone, cable, banks) offer customers the option to not have bills sent to their homes. This eliminates excess paper as well as lessens the chance someone else will pick up or intercept your mail. Know your billing cycle. Make sure you are aware of when you are scheduled to get your mail. If you notice that you have stopped receiving a particular magazine you usually get, someone may have changed the address for it. Protect your PIN. When using your debit, or credit card, ensure you are keeping your PIN a secret. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure no one is sneaking a peak at your digits. Ask for ID. Instead of signing the back of your credit cards, simply write See photo ID. Always check your statements. Since so many banks are now using electronic bills, it s easy to forget to check your statements online. Ensure you are always keeping track of your accounts this way you will not be left with unwanted charges. Don t use an easy password. Although it may be convenient to use a password that is easy to remember, it may not be the most secure one. Choose a password that no one would be able to guess. Always log out. This goes back to online banking. When you are doing any type of banking online, ensure you log out of the computer you are using especially when you are at the office, or when you are on a shared computer. Secure your home mailbox invest in a mailbox that only you can access. Protect you SIN. Always be careful who you are giving your Social Insurance Number (SIN) card to. If you start a new job and your company asks for it, ask them why they need it. You can never be too careful.

3 A checklist of effective measures your company and its employees can steer clear of Identity thieves: What to Shred Ensure your accounting department is regularly checking company bank accounts to ensure there are no unwanted purchases under the company name. Track registrations of new Internet domain names that are similar to yours and keep track of their activities. Make sure all company computers have anti virus software installed, firewalls and strong passwords. Since most corporate ID theft takes place online, IT security is important. Make sure a member of your IT team monitors content on the company website. Have an address on your site for people to report strange activity if they see it happening on your site. Invest in a quality shredder such as a Fellowes Powershred 225Ci. Shred all important paper documents that you are no longer using to prevent sensitive data from being stolen. Set strict guidelines for who has access to company credit cards and what they are allowed to order especially online. Ensure your company has a system in place to manage security breaches. Ensure your staff are aware of the signs of ID theft. The best way to fight corporate identity theft is for companies to work together and do their part. Make sure all your employees know the signs this way, you have more than just one set of eyes watching out for intruders. When protecting yourself against identity theft and fraud, you want to ensure you are getting rid of all your important documents the right way. Don t just throw bank statements in the garbage or blue box once you are done with them invest in a reliable shredder to ensure your personal documents are disposed of properly. Here s what you should shred: Junk mail with your address ATM receipts Bank statements Copies of birth certificates, social insurance cards and driver s licences Voided cheques Credit card bills Credit reports Any documents containing your name, address, phone numbers or address Documents containing banking passwords or PIN numbers Employee pay stubs Legal documents Investment, stock and property transactions Items with a signature (leases, contracts, letters)

4 Fellowes keeps you protected against identity theft With Fellowes shredders, you know you re getting the very best. Help prevent identity theft by investing in one of these quality products. From professional to commercial shredders, here are just a few of products that will help you stay protected against identity theft: The Powershred 225Ci provides high performance commercial shredding. The 100% Jam Proof System eliminates paper jams and powers through tough jobs. SilentShred offers ultra-quiet performance for shared workspaces. The patented SafeSense technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening. Energy Savings System reduces energy consumption by up to 70%, compared to conventional commercial shredders during normal usage. The 225Ci shreds 20 sheets per pass into 5/32 x 1-1/2 cross-cut particles (Security Level 3), and has a 16-gallon bin. The Powershred 125Ci provides powerful professional shredding with jam protection. The 100% Jam Proof System eliminates paper jams and powers through tough jobs. Energy Savings System reduces energy consumption by up to 70%, compared to conventional commercial shredders during normal usage. Includes 2-year product and service warranty, plus lifetime on cutters. The 125Ci shreds 18 sheets per pass into 5/32 x 1-1/2 cross-cut particles (Security Level 3), and has a 14-gallon pull-out bin. Maximum run time: 45 minutes. 225Ci 125Ci The Powershred DS-1200Cs Cross-Cut Shredder is designed for personal deskside use. Patented SafeSense Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening. 1-year product and service warranty plus 5 years on cutters. Shreds 12 sheets per pass into 5/32 x 2 cross-cut particles (Security Level 3). 4-gallon bin. The Powershred 79Ci provides powerful deskside shredding with jam protection. Includes 2-year product and service warranty, plus lifetime on cutters. The 79Ci shreds 14 sheets per pass into 5/32 x 1-1/2 cross-cut particles (Security Level 3), and has a 6 gallon pull-out bin. Maximum run time: 12 on / 20 off. DS-1200Cs 79Ci

5 What to do if you fall victim to identity theft When someone takes your personal information and uses it for financial gain, it is classified as identity theft or fraud. In 2010 more than 11,000 identity theft cases were reported in Canada, with a loss of more than $12 million, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If you become a victim of fraud or identity theft, there are certain steps you can take to minimize the damage and also to help prevent it from happening again. The first thing you need to do once you realize you have become a victim, report it. Here s who you should call: Call your bank immediately. Have them cancel your credit and debit cards and re-issue new ones. If you do not report your cards as stolen as soon as you become aware, you could be held liable for the losses. Contact your local police department to file a report Contact Canada s main credit agencies: Trans Union Canada at (Québec ) and Equifax Canada at ( ) Report the identity theft to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre ( ) If your ID cards like health, driver s licence, or SIN cards are stolen, call O-Canada and an agent will direct you to the correct provincial or federal organization to replace each of your cards If your mail has gone missing, contact Canada Post at ( ) For additional information on debit card fraud and credit reports, contact the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada at FCAC (3222) To ensure you don t fall victim to identity theft again, think about investing in a personal theft protection system such as Protection Power Protection Power is a leading Canadian provider of personal information services.