An identity thief stole someone's life across two provinces — here's how to make sure you're not next

Police allege that this fake ID was used at a bank in New Tecumseth, ON, to obtain a credit card in the name of the victim. But, the string of fraud didn’t stop there. OPP investigators state that the identical ID was used once more in Surrey, B.C., to purchase a “luxury vehicle.”

At this time, police are asking members of the public to come forward if they recognize the subject in question. Anyone who may have information about the matter has been asked to contact the Nottwasaga police, the news outlet noted.

The state of identity fraud in Canada

Identity fraud — bad actors stealing personal information for financial benefit (2) — is one of the most persistent, and most reported, fraud types across the nation.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s (CAFC) 2024 Annual Statistical Report, identity fraud was the most reported type for that year, with over 9,600 reported incidents out of 108,878 (3). And these cases only represent a small portion of the fraud in Canada; the CAFC estimates that only 5% to 10% of incidents are actually reported (4). In total, Canadians lost a combined $643 million to fraudulent activity in 2024.

Identity fraud can take many forms, from obtaining personal information from a phishing email or even impersonating a financial authority to get key information from consumers to open bank accounts or apply for credit cards. In some cases, fraudsters can obtain personal information from data breaches against businesses or even buy personal information from an inside source (5).

Once they have this information, bad actors use it for immediate financial gain. This is usually done by applying for additional credits in the victim’s name, draining their bank accounts, applying for loans or other benefits, or making lavish purchases (6). The only real pattern with fraudsters is taking advantage of others, and doing so quickly.

While identity fraud is devastating in its own right, it's the more hidden consequences that can wreak continued havoc on consumers after the incident is resolved.

How identity theft hurts more than just your account balance

Identity theft or fraud is destructive because consumers lose their hard-earned funds. But there’s more at play than just money. For example, if a fraudster opens a line of credit in your name but never repays it, your credit score will take a major hit if the issue is not resolved (7). Having a lower credit score can impact your ability to get lower interest rates on loans and get approved for a mortgage.

There’s also a devastating emotional component to identity fraud. Research from Equifax found that identity fraud victims show signs of emotional trauma similar to a person who has had their home broken into or been assaulted (8). Moreover, victims can show signs of depression, grief and heightened anxiety from being taken advantage of. These psychological issues can take time to mend.

How to react properly if you fall victim

If you’ve been receiving credit card statements with transactions you don’t recognize or have gotten bills in the mail for services you’ve never requested, you may be a victim of identity fraud. Here’s how to react correctly.

1. Report it immediately. As soon as you notice something suspicious, report it to the local police, the CAFC, your financial institutions and the credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion). If you believe your social insurance number may be at risk, contact the CRA.
2. Document every step. Once you have taken immediate action, start gathering evidence and documenting your incident. Write down when you noticed the fraud, how much you lost and the steps you have taken so far. You may be required to swear an affidavit of forgery to prove the fraud occurred and to properly dispute fraudulent accounts or debts (9).
3. Take proactive measures. Following reporting and documenting the issue, start closing any affected credit cards, accounts and change passwords on all your financial logins. In some cases, placing fraud alerts with your credit bureaus can also protect you from additional fraudulent transactions (10). It’s also critical you begin the process of restoring your identity with Equifax and TransUnion to protect your credit score long-term. These bureaus have departments to help you restore your identity properly.
4. Remember your rights. Seeing your credit score plunge and your financial accounts drop can make you wonder if you’re on the hook. According to the Canadian Government, as long as you took reasonable care to protect your credit/debit card information, you cannot be held liable for more than $50 in most cases regarding unauthorized transactions (11). Additionally, federally regulated financial institutions (e.g. any of the Big six banks) cannot hold you responsible for a financial transaction simply because your password or PIN was used.

Bottom line

Identity fraud is a devastating crime that leaves consumers psychologically vulnerable and even financially crippled. But, it’s preventable. Taking measures like reviewing your credit report annually and setting up real-time notifications on your banking apps to catch fraudulent activity before more damage is done is paramount. Early detection makes all the difference.

Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

CTV News (1); CAFC (2, 3, 4); Equifax (5, 8, 10); Government of Ontario (6); Credit Counselling Society (7); TransUnion (9); Government of Canada (11)