SASKATCHEWAN SUPPORTS IDENTITY THEFT INITIATIVES

Victims of identity theft in Saskatchewan will now find it a little easier to notify creditors about the theft of their personal information and to correct credit reports as a result of a new information kit developed through a partnership of federal and provincial governments and private sector agencies.

"In our continued effort to protect consumer interests in Saskatchewan, we are aggressively supporting the reduction of identity theft through public education and awareness," Justice Minister Frank Quennell said.

"As a practical step toward helping victims of identity theft, in partnership with the federal, provincial and territorial governments, law enforcement agencies, consumer groups, and the private sector, we have developed a consumer information kit," Quennell said. "Part of the kit is an identity theft statement, which victims can use to notify most major creditors of what has happened. Using this one standard form can help streamline the process of correcting the victim's credit report as well as restoring their good reputation."

Identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in the marketplace, occurs when someone uses a victim's personal information, without their knowledge or consent, to commit a crime, such as fraud or theft. Identity thieves will steal wallets, redirect mail, rummage through garbage, set up telemarketing schemes, and break into computers in order to take money out of a bank account, go on shopping sprees, apply for loans, credit cards and social benefits, rent apartments and even commit more serious crimes – all in the victim's name.

In addition to names, addresses and phone numbers, identity thieves look for social insurance numbers, driver's licence numbers, credit card and banking information, bank cards, calling cards, birth certificates and passports.

Once they steal the information they need, identity thieves can manipulate it and invade their victim's personal and financial lives. Victims of identity theft may incur damaged credit records, unauthorized charges on credit cards and unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts. In many cases, victims must change their addresses, telephone numbers and even their social insurance numbers.

For more information on identity theft and to view the kit, please visit www.consumerinformation.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Andrew Dinsmore Justice Regina Phone: (306)787-8606