OTTAWA, February 6, 2008 – With tax
deadlines fast-approaching and personal information going back and
forth between accounting firms, financial institutions, the Canada
Revenue Agency, homes and businesses, Canada Post and the Privacy
Commissioner urge Canadians to ensure these very sensitive documents
are kept secure at all times.
While this material is essential for preparing tax-related reports,
it can also be used by fraudsters seeking to steal identities. By successfully
getting their hands on documents containing sensitive information (including
Social Insurance Numbers and account numbers), they can move on to other
gains, such as obtaining credit cards bearing the names of their victims.
“Identity theft is a great threat that Canada Post is working hard with
authorities to eliminate. We caution all Canadians to remain vigilant at all
times,” said Moya Greene, the company’s president and CEO. “Identity
theft can be frustrating, financially crippling, and its impact can continue
to haunt you for years to come,” added Jennifer Stoddart, Privacy Commissioner
of Canada. “Your personal information is invaluable, so protect it and
protect yourselves.”
Here are some of the things you can do to help prevent identity theft:
Deposit your sensitive outgoing mail at your local post office or
in one of the red street letter boxes as close as possible to the
scheduled pick up time posted on the mailbox.
Remove mail from your mailbox promptly after delivery or use a mailbox
that locks, or have your mail sent to a post office box. A secure
mail receptacle remains a strong deterrent. If ever you see any occurrence
of vandalism or theft in progress at a community mailbox or on Canada
Post property or assets, please call 911.
If you are going away or are unable to pick up your mail for any
reason, go to your local post office or online at www.canadapost.ca
and file a Hold Mail Request where the mail will be held
at the post office and delivered on your return. You can also
have it collected on a daily basis by a trusted neighbour.
If you plan to move in the upcoming weeks, or have already moved,
make sure that you have made proper arrangements to have your mail
forwarded to your new address. Go to your local post office or online
at www.canadapost.ca and file a Change of Address Notification.
More information on how to protect one’s mail is available at http://www.canadapost.ca/postalsecurity
More information on identity theft and protecting your personal information
is available at http://www.privcom.gc.ca/ind/index_e.asp
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For more information or interview requests, contact:
François Legault
Media Relations, Canada
Post
613 734-8847
francois.legault@canadapost.ca
Colin McKay
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
613 995-0103
cmckay@privcom.gc.ca
