Full disclosure: My social insurance number and I are on the countrysa国际传媒檚 most wanted list.

Though I may be bad, I am not unique. Felons abound in these parts, Isa国际传媒檝e learned; many have received the same phone calls I have.

The call I received three days in a row was from sa国际传媒渢he legal department of Service Canada.sa国际传媒� 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, Isa国际传媒檓 told to sa国际传媒渒indly press one and speak to an officer now.sa国际传媒�

The folks at real Service Canada have heard a lot about this scam. Theysa国际传媒檝e even heard that the scammers can change the number theysa国际传媒檙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.

sa国际传媒淚 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,sa国际传媒� states Sgt. Scott Lachapelle.

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For myself, I also recently received a scam text from sa国际传媒淐anada Post,sa国际传媒� 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 sa国际传媒� so many itsa国际传媒檚 difficult to keep track of them all.

sa国际传媒淚dentity theft techniques can range from unsophisticated, such as dumpster diving and mail theft, to more elaborate schemes such as these telephone solicitations.sa国际传媒�

Identity thieves using the phone are often looking for: full name, date of birth, social insurance number, full address, mothersa国际传媒檚 maiden name, user-name and password for online services, driversa国际传媒檚 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 donsa国际传媒檛 really know who is calling you.

But, if you suspect or know yousa国际传媒檙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. Thatsa国际传媒檚 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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