Protecting Your Identity
The Government of Ontario is working to help you keep your identity safe. Your Ontario birth certificate is proof of your identity. It is an important way to prove your name, age and where you were born. You need a birth certificate to apply for most government documents and services, including health cards, drivers' licences, passports and social benefits. Here are some tips on protecting your personal information:
- Always store any cards and documents, such as birth certificates, social insurance numbers and passports, containing personal information in a secure place, and shred them after they expire.
- Review the balances on your statements from banks, credit cards and companies regularly and report any discrepancies, however minor, right away. Fraudsters often steal in small amounts from many cards to evade detection.
- Once a year, get a copy of your credit report from the two national credit Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. The report tells you what information the bureau has about your credit history, financial information, any judgments, collection activity and who has asked for your information.
- If your bills don't arrive, or you applied for a new credit card that hasn't come on time, call the credit grantor immediately.
- If you are going to be away from home, ask a trusted neighbour to pick up your mail or go to your local post office (with identification) and ask for Canada Post's "hold mail" service.
