The Canadian Bankers Association today launched the new edition of Safeguarding Your Money, an updated version of the free consumer protection guide that now offers a range of tips to educate consumers about identity theft.

The CBA warns identity theft can start whenever a criminal gets authorized access to someone else’s means of identification, regardless of whether the victim is aware of that access.

“Safeguarding consumers’ money and confidentiality is a responsibility that Canada’s banks take very seriously,” said Raymond Protti, the CBA’s resident and CEO, in a news release.

“When Canadians help out by taking simple steps to protect themselves, the system becomes even safer,” added Protti.

Tips offered in the CBA booklet include:

  • Put passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your Social Insurance Number (SIN), or your phone number.
  • Minimize the identification information and number of cards you carry.
  • Give out your SIN only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identification when possible.
  • Don’t carry your SIN card; leave it in a secure place.
      More information is available from the Canadian Bankers Association by calling 1-800-263-0231 or through the Web site at www.cba.ca.