Comments on: Fraud Protection Services

By: More about Protecting Yourself Against Fraud « gailvazoxlade.com

More about Protecting Yourself Against Fraud « gailvazoxlade.com — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:46:39 +0000

[...] my blog last week on fraud prevention services, I promised more. So here we [...]

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:21:01 +0000

This is a response to Catherine’s keep your red and white health card. If you get a letter in the mail advising you need a picture health card, you need to get one. Your health card will be void for places like the optometrists and such if you are covered under OHIP. At a dr’s office, they can not deny you service, but they may as you to pay because your card is invalid. The point of the expire date is to avoid cards being bought and sold to people who are not qualified to receive services and take advantage of our “free” system. Getting expensive medical services including surgery.

By: Deanne

Deanne — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:49:36 +0000

Make sure to read the “fine print” when agreeing to any service that’s “free” for the first ….whatever time frame. Unless you specifically call and request the service be cancelled, many companies will automatically start billing you for the service.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:32:28 +0000

I definitely agree, don’t carry your SIN in wallet, your passport, or birth certificate,however, not carrying your health card, could be a big mistake. Especially, if you get into an accident. The hospital will stick you will the bill for whatever expense you incur until you produce your health care.

I normally, don’t even carry my CC when I’m in the city, if I travel, I do for the sheer reason to proof that I booked a room or airline tickets.

By: Tara

Tara — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:28:06 +0000

In the US, you can write to each of the credit bureaus using a specific form letter and have your credit frozen. No one can access or apply for new credit while the freeze is on. It does cost money each time you freeze/unfreeze it (about $10) but that’s nothing compared to the inconvenience you would have to deal with in the event of identity theft. You can see the information for California here:

http://www.privacy.ca.gov

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:31:03 +0000

I carry the minimum ID after I lost my SIN card a few years back. Luckily I found it later, it was under my car seat, but after that I’m careful. I also keep a close eye on my various accounts, like many others.

At the time I also called the major credit bureaus and asked them to put a watch on me. For a set period of time (several years, I think) they would call you to confirm your identity if anyone used your SIN to apply for credit. It was free, so may be worth looking into.

By: Doreen

Doreen — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:54:07 +0000

To Saver Queen:

OHIP Fraud Squad did all the work. The doctor claimed it was a ‘mistake’ was the only thing OHIP told me. I suspect that some shady former owner of the now defunct King Street Medical building in downtown Toronto may have ’skimmed’ my OHIP data and others – but this is my ‘hunch’. And no – no one’s medical information was merged with mine, but I had to get a new OHIP card & Photo I.D.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:47:53 +0000

I would actually say to bring your health card with you at all times. That is your access to medical care, and who knows when or if you will need it?

For instance, if you decide to leave it at home, and you are in an accident or decide to go and visit a walk-in clinic before returning home, you could be up a creek. Many will ask you to put a deposit down or pay for the visit, and you will have to prove you have the appropriate coverage of a provinicial health card.

I agree with leaving SIN and passports at home however.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:34:29 +0000

Hard to decide not to carry your health card with you….like wearing clean underwear just in case…..HA!
Hang on to your red and white cards! The green ones have expiry dates and are a pain at times to get them renewed. The red and white are good for life so baby them…..you don’t HAVE to turn them in for a green one.

By: Pol

Pol — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:21:07 +0000

I have lost my wallet too many times to risk carrying anything non essential (I am laughing, but it’s sad really). I haven’t actually lost it in years, but the lesson stayed with me.
ONE bank card, a bit of change, and my driver’s license – that’s it! The credit card only comes along when I am travelling long distances or know I need to stop for gas (pay at the pump is mandatory here now and OH SO MUCH FASTER than the bank card). NEVER the SIN card, birth certificate or provincial medical card in my wallet. If I need those for an appointment, then I carry them separately as an item to be returned to the special document binder the moment I get home. …It’s not superior organization that keeps it this way, it’s survival in my forgetful universe!

By: Saver Queen

Saver Queen — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:21:24 +0000

Wow, all of this is making me realize that I have not protected myself very well.

Dorreen – how awful. Is all their medical information merged with yours now??? How did they sort that problem out?

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:15:09 +0000

Yes this definately hits home for me. Its been a crazy start to the year. It started off with my Grandma passing away, flying across country to go to her funeral, getting back home only to discover someone had accessed my ebay and email acount. About a week later after blocking use of my credit card my husbands card was used. Our wallets didn’t need to be stolen. Im assuming they got the information from my ebay account and possibly email.
We don’t pay for identity protection and our credit card company was the one that notified us of the fraudulent use.
Im not willing to pay the extra for protection that is already there.

By: Melaniesd

Melaniesd — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:48:06 +0000

Emiliano: I didn’t know you could get your reports more than once per year for free. Good to know! Thanks.

I totally agree about limiting what is in your wallet. Not only is it not neccessary to carry so much, it’s very costly to replace it all.

I work for a FI and you would not believe the amount of people who leave their wallets in the car regularly!?! If I had a nickel for every time a client said “Just a minute, I have to run to the car to get my wallet.” I’m sure I could max my tax-free savings act! lol!

Carry minimum ID and if you know you are going to walk the dog at the park, don’t bring your purse. Take what you need in your pocket and leave the purse at home. Parking lots are huge targets for break & enters. Common sense…

Gail is so right about being caution around family & friends. I have been a victim of fraud by a loved one. It’s not fun and it’s very hurtful. The only person you can truly trust with your finances & information is YOU.

By: Emiliano

Emiliano — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:58:33 +0000

I carry the bare min as Gail said…I have been doing that for several years, when all those cases of ID fraud started to pop up.

What I recommend to carry on your wallet (this is what I have)
Driver’s License. Debit Card (in case of emergency)
If needed (GAIL YOU READY —> IF) Visa/Master Card / Cash (only the amount needed for that day.

What not to carry:
Health Card, SIN, Passport, Birth Certificates, Citizenship IDs, those small wallet size Marriage Cert.

In regards of Credit Monitoring Service… I feel that if you carry the min amount of ID… you might not need it (and it’s very expensive). I am not sure if they will be able to help you thru, I would love to hear some experiences on how they help.
I monitor it myself, I get my Credit Reports every 3 to 4 monhts for free from Equifax / Transunion and they mail it to my home. I make sure that the accounts shown on the credit are correct, and that everything looks good… There have been instances where I found mistakes on my C-R and I have contacted either Transunion / Equifax and made the changes.

As Shelley said…. check your online banking….that’s the best way to keep on top of your finances and monitor that there is nothing wrong with your accounts.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:14:32 +0000

Online banking is really good for monitoring our bank accounts and credit cards. I log into my accounts every morning and night to make sure that everything is as its supposed to be – bills being paid and no transactions that aren’t mine or my husbands.