To victims of identity theft and fraud, the task of correcting incorrect information about their financial or personal status and trying to restore their good names and reputations, may seem as daunting as trying to solve a puzzle in which some of the pieces are missing and other pieces no longer fit as they once did. Unfortunately, the damage that criminals do in stealing another person's identity and using it to commit fraud often takes far longer to undo than it took the criminal to commit the crimes.

It you suspect that your personal information has been hijacked and misappropriated to commit fraud or theft, take action immediately and keep a record of your conversations and correspondence.  The following basic actions are appropriate in almost every case. 

1. Act immediately to minimize the damage to your personal funds and financial accounts, as well as your reputation.
   
   
2. Report the crime to the police immediately. Ask for a copy of the police report so that you can provide proof of the theft to the organizations that you will have to contact later.
3. If someone has managed to get access to your mail or other personal data, and opened any credit cards in your name or taken any funds from your bank account, contact your financial institution or credit card company immediately to report those transactions to request further action.
   
   
4. Contact the fraud departments of each of the two major credit bureaus. Request that a "Fraud Alert" be placed in your files.  At the same time order copies of your credit reports.

Equifax: (877) 323-2598, for lost or stolen identification press 1, if you are a victim of identity theft press 2. 
TransUnion: (877) 525-3823    

5. Close any account that has been tampered with immediately and if opening new ones use a new PIN or password.
   
   
6. Contact PhoneBusters at 1-888-495-8501.  PhoneBusters is a police organization that collects information about identity theft and offers advice to victims.. It is currently central sourcing all pertinent information on Identity Theft to identity trends and patterns, information is also used to assist law enforcement agencies in possible investigations
   
   
7. Report the crime to Reporting Economic Crime Online (RECOL), a partnership involving international, federal and provincial law enforcement agencies.
   
   
8. Document the steps you take and the expenses you incur to clear your name and re-establish your credit. Start a log of dates, person(s) that you spoke with and exactly what they said
   
   
9. Contact all creditors with whom your name or identifying data have been fraudulently used. For example, you may need to contact your long-distance telephone company if your long-distance calling card has been stolen or you find fraudulent charges on your bill. As well, tell your telephone, cable and utility companies that someone using your name could try to open new accounts fraudulently
   
   
10. Contact all financial institutions where you have accounts that an identity thief has taken over or that have been created in your name but without your knowledge. You may need to cancel those accounts, place stop-payment orders on any outstanding checks that may not have cleared, and change your Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card, account, and Personal Identification Number (PIN). Cancel your credit cards and bank accounts and get new ones issued. Insist on password-only access to them. As well, find out: Does the company require written documentation to begin investigating your claim of identity theft? Do they accept the Identity Theft Statement? Do they require any additional information?
    
    
11. Complete the Identity Theft Statement and/or any other required documentation and provide it to the company as soon as possible.
12. Have your credit report annotated to reflect the identity theft. Do a follow-up check three months after to ensure that someone has not tried to use your identity again.
13. In the case of passport theft, advise the Passport Office. If other government-issued documents were lost or stolen, report them to the responsible ministry or department and request new documents
14. Contact Canada Post if you suspect that someone is diverting your mail.
15. Advise your telephone, cable, and utilities that someone using your name could try to open new accounts fraudulently.
16. Get a new driver's license.
17. If you suspect that someone has been using your SIN to get a job, or that your SIN has been compromised in some other way, contact Service Canada at: