Sudbury OPP have been advised of a possible Internet scam designed to obtain vital personal information for the purpose of identity theft.
Officers contacted PhoneBusters National Call Centre, who confirmed this to be a common scam. Investigation revealed that scammers place online ads for rental apartments or houses in Sudbury.
When victims enquire about the rental, they receive a “rental application form” to complete which requests personal information such as SIN number, driver’s licence number, date of birth, employer and previous addresses, all necessary information for identity theft.
Another similar type of scam is where the scammer copies online ads for rental properties and reposts them on another legitimate site, listing a different phone number.
The would-be renters, who may even have checked out the property externally, are then told to send the first and last month’s rent payment in order to get the keys.
Both these types of scams are designed for identity theft or theft of funds by requesting deposits for fictional rental properties.
When someone uses any of your personal information (SIN number, name, credit information, personal information) for their benefit, it’s a crime, plain and simple, a police press release stated.
To minimize the risk:
- Do not ever give out any personal information in any form, unless you have initiated the contact.
- Do not carry your SIN card with you nor give out your number unless absolutely necessary.
- Minimize the identification information and number of cards you carry with you.
- Be sure to tear or shred anything which contains personal information. An identity thief will pick through your garbage or recycling bins.
- Ask to inspect a house or apartment before you rent. A scammer is unlikely to have a key. If still in doubt, ask to see proof of ownership.
- If it’s a vacation rental, check out the owner’s credentials.
Victims of identity theft can complete the Identity Theft Statement found on PhoneBusters’ website.
This will help notify financial institutions, credit card issuers and other companies that the identity theft occurred, tell them you did not create a debt or charges, and give them information they need to begin an investigation.
In the event that your personal information is stolen, contact Equifax Canada at 1-877-249-2705 or TransUnion at 1-877-525-3823.
You should also file a report with your local police and be sure to contact PhoneBusters National Call Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or www.phonebusters.com. They are currently central sourcing all information in Identity Theft.
