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The holidays are fast approaching and like most people you’ll hit the shopping malls or make online purchases so you can give your loved ones gifts they will cherish. This also means you’ll need to be careful about the information you give out to ensure you protect yourself against identity theft. Allstate Insurance Company of Canada saw an increase in identity theft claims from 2007 to 2008 – the number of claims filed almost tripled in 2008.
To help you get through the holiday season and stay protected, Allstate offers the following identity theft prevention tips:
When Shopping…
- Use your hand to cover your PIN when making purchases with debit or credit cards.
- Make sure all of your credit cards are signed.
- Avoid choosing a simple PIN code such as 1234, make sure you personalize your PIN and memorize the number.
- Only keep cards you intend to use in your wallet.
- If you misplace your wallet or it is stolen, contact all financial institutions immediately to have a hold placed on your accounts.
Online…
- Do not give out passwords to anyone – even if it appears as though a financial institution is contacting you.
- Choose difficult passwords for accounts – include letters, capitals and numbers whenever possible. If you must write them down, keep them in a safe or lock box.
- Use only trusted websites to make online purchases.
- Do not select ‘Remember My Account’ on any financial services websites.
At Home…
- Keep all personal documents such as passports, insurance policies and other important financial items in a lock box or safe.
- Never throw away bills with sensitive account information on them – make sure they are shredded and disposed of properly.
- Do not give out personal or financial information over the phone. Be wary of telemarketers claiming to be financial institutions.
For more information about protecting yourself against identity theft or to arrange an interview with Tony Irwin, Allstate’s official spokesperson, please contact:
Karen Nussbaum
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 334 / (647) 294-3321
nussbaum@thornleyfallis.com
