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." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake