Full disclosure: My social insurance number and I are on the country害羞草研究所檚 most wanted list.

Though I may be bad, I am not unique. Felons abound in these parts, I害羞草研究所檝e learned; many have received the same phone calls I have.

The call I received three days in a row was from 害羞草研究所渢he legal department of Service Canada.害羞草研究所� It states there will be enforcement action against my SIN. So, before the matter goes before the federal courthouse (on the lawn?) or I get arrested, I害羞草研究所檓 told to 害羞草研究所渒indly press one and speak to an officer now.害羞草研究所�

The folks at real Service Canada have heard a lot about this scam. They害羞草研究所檝e even heard that the scammers can change the number they害羞草研究所檙e calling from, so it appears a police department is calling.

A check with Salmon Arm RCMP reveals the scammers are dumb enough, or, to be kind, bold enough, to even try the arrest scam on those who do the arresting.

害羞草研究所淚 myself often receive notices/messages on my RCMP work phone indicating that I will soon be arrested for failure to pay taxes/tickets/etc. I simply hang up,害羞草研究所� states Sgt. Scott Lachapelle.

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For myself, I also recently received a scam text from 害羞草研究所淐anada Post,害羞草研究所� telling me my package has been sent back and directing me to tap on an innocent-looking link to confirm the shipment.

Lachapelle says new scams come to light every day 害羞草研究所� so many it害羞草研究所檚 difficult to keep track of them all.

害羞草研究所淚dentity theft techniques can range from unsophisticated, such as dumpster diving and mail theft, to more elaborate schemes such as these telephone solicitations.害羞草研究所�

Identity thieves using the phone are often looking for: full name, date of birth, social insurance number, full address, mother害羞草研究所檚 maiden name, user-name and password for online services, driver害羞草研究所檚 licence number, personal identification number (PIN), credit card information (number, expiry date, the three digits on the signature panel), bank account number or signature.

The best advice, says Lachapelle, is to never reveal any personal information to anyone who calls, because you don害羞草研究所檛 really know who is calling you.

But, if you suspect or know you害羞草研究所檙e a victim of identity theft or fraud, or if you unwittingly provide personal or financial information, you should: 1. Contact local police and file a report. 2. Contact your financial institution and credit card company. 3. Contact the two national credit bureaus and place a fraud alert on your credit reports. That害羞草研究所檚 Equifax Canada, toll free at 1-800-465-7166 and TransUnion Canada, toll free at 1- 877-525-3823. 4. Always report identity theft and fraud. Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

marthawickett@saobserver.net
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