Pubdate: Wed, 26 Oct 2005
Source: St. Albert Gazette (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 St. Albert Gazette
Contact:  http://www.stalbertgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2919
Author: Peter Boer, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

ID THEFT ON THE RISE IN CITY

St. Albert RCMP are again warning residents to keep close tabs on
their personal information, after a string of arrests in the last
month for drug offences also netted stolen identification.

Const. Mike Moulds of the St. Albert detachment confirmed Monday that
police have made four arrests for drug trafficking arrests in the last
four weeks. In each of those cases, the suspects were also allegedly
found in possession of stolen personal information. In most of those
cases, Moulds said, police found pieces of paper with credit card
numbers and expiry dates written down.

"That's one of the scariest things that can happen," said Moulds.
"We've had people with wallets missing for months and people go to
Calgary and rack up thousands of dollars on a line of credit or at a
department store. Then you have to go through the hassle of cleaning
your name up with the credit bureau."

The issue of identity theft has received much attention over the last
five years as criminals steal, then use or sell another person's
identity. Moulds said identity theft and drug offences tend to go
hand-in-hand as users and traffickers try to look for a way to beat
the system.

"This is just what we're finding, particularly with meth addicts,"
said Moulds. "It's their crime of choice."

Many drug users or known criminals will steal another person's
identity to hide their own, especially if they have warrants out for
their arrest or have been placed on recognizance or probation with a
stipulation to abstain from the use of illegal drugs, Moulds said.

However, many identity thieves are looking for money.

"You can walk in a lot of places with personal information and get
whatever you need," said Moulds. "They'll also utilize them through
the Internet, purchasing products through venues where people don't
actually have to see the card."

The trade in stolen identification is becoming so specific, said
Moulds, that some criminals are selling stolen photo identification to
people who physically resemble the victim.

"They'll go through your mail. They'll go dumpster diving," said
Moulds. "When I was in Red Deer in the late '80's, I spent 10 days in
a dump looking for a body and the amount of personal information you'd
find on people is just mind-boggling."

Moulds urged the public to take several common sense steps to protect
their personal information. Shred personal documents instead of simply
throwing them out or recycling them. Thoroughly examine your credit
card bills or bank statements. When throwing out old computers, make
sure the hard drives are erased before tossing them.

Most important, said Moulds, report the theft or disappearance of any
purse or wallet to the police, regardless of how inconsequential it
may seem.

"It's very important people report to the police so that their
driver's licence can be flagged on our computer system," said Moulds.
"If someone steals a purse with your social insurance number, driver's
licence and credit card, imagine the kind of damage they can do to
your credit rating." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake