If you are a victim of identity theft in Ottawa, there are several sensible steps to take:
Firstly, be sure of what, if anything, has been lost or stolen – such as credit card transactions, bank withdrawals, ID cards, etc.
Report it to the appropriate institution – bank, credit card company, government agency, etc. and make sure that the appropriate cards, passport, etc. are cancelled, new ones issued, and you set up new PINs, etc.
The institution may report it to the police but you should also make a report of your identity theft to law enforcement; ask for a copy of the police report and provide a copy for any institution that might require it as proof.
Report your identity theft to the Canadian Ant-Fraud Centre (CAFC), which gathers information about identity theft and provides assistance to victims.
Get a copy of your credit report from Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada (the two main credit reporting agencies in Canada) and notify creditors of any suspicious activity such as accounts that you did not open. Also, have your account flagged with a “fraud warning” that will instruct creditors to contact you if any accounts are opened in your name.
Keep a record of your communications about the identity theft.