It's tax season...make sure you take extra precautions
with your
mail
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.
