What is Identity Theft?
Recent developments in telecommunications and computer processing have made it easier for companies and consumers to reach one another. These developments are also making your personal identification more accessible.
It is the act of impersonating another, by means of using the person's information, such as birth date, Social Security number, address, name, and bank account information, without that person's knowledge.
COUNTERFEIT FRAUD
What is counterfeit fraud?
Despite safeguards, some criminals have still managed to make copies of legitimate credit cards by copying or skimming the data contained in a card's magnetic stripe. Using this skimmed information, criminals manufacture phony or counterfeit cards and use them for fraudulent purposes.
TIPS TO HELP YOU FIGHT COUNTERFEIT FRAUD
*Ask questions
*Protect your cards as if they were cash
*Sign the back of your card as soon as you get it
*Ensure that you get your card back immediately after every purchase
*Report suspected fraud
CARD-NOT-PRESENT FRAUD
What is card-not-present fraud?
This fraud committed by criminals online, by phone, or by mail using information obtained fraudulently.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT BECOMING A VICTIM OF CARD-NOT-PRESENT FRAUD*Keep user names and passwords secret
*Use only Secure Internet browsers that allow secure transmission of data
*Never send payment information over e-mail, since e-mail is not secure and outside parties can read information that travels over e-mail
*Only give card details when you
initiate a purchase
*Keep records of transactions and review monthly statements thoroughly
Brantford Police
344 Elgin Street
P.O. Box 1116
Brantford, Ontario
N3S 4A1
Phone: (519)756-7050
Fax: (519)751-1355
