Manitobans will soon have stronger protection against identity theft when legislation allowing individuals to place a security alert on their file with credit bureaus takes effect Jan. 31, Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh announced.
“Identity theft is a growing problem and consumers deserve every additional level of protection we can offer,” said Mackintosh. “This one simple step could block a thief from gaining access to someone’s identity or credit and protects a business from extending credit to an identity thief.”
Changes to the Personal Investigations Act allow a consumer who believes their credit information has been compromised to tell a credit bureau to place a security alert on their file. The alert requires a credit grantor to take steps to verify a credit applicant’s identity before any new credit is provided.
Although credit bureaus currently provide this service voluntarily, Manitoba joins Ontario as the only two provinces with a legislative requirement for credit alerts. Manitoba’s requirements will also be in line with a proposed national approach on credit reports.
The maximum fee that credit bureaus will be able to charge to place an alert on a file will be $5. The alert can be cancelled by the applicant at any time or will expire automatically after six years. The changes also toughen the penalties for failing to comply with the act.
Information and tips for reducing the risk of identity theft are available on the Consumer Protection Office website at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/cca/cpo.
Examples of key steps individuals can take to protect their identity include:
• keeping personal information such as birth certificates, passport, etc., in a safe place;
• shredding personal information before disposing of it;
• carefully checking all charges and balances on bills, invoices, bank statements, etc.;
• regularly obtain credit reports;
• taking great care when making an online purchase; and
• making sure the theft or loss of a wallet or personal information is reported to your creditors and credit bureaus right away.
These legislative changes are part of Let’s Make a Better Deal, Manitoba’s five-year consumer protection plan.
