Someone is using your name, SIN or personal information to open accounts, make purchases or commit fraud in your name? You are a victim of identity theft, a serious crime that can have lasting consequences on your credit and financial life.
Immediate Actions
- Place a fraud alert on your credit file — Equifax: 1-800-465-7166 | TransUnion: 1-800-663-9980
- Contact your bank to report the situation
- File a police report — You'll need the report for your procedures
How to Know If You're a Victim?
- Bills or statements for accounts you didn't open
- Collection calls for debts you don't recognize
- Unexplained credit denial despite good history
- Unknown transactions on your bank or credit card statements
- Missing mail — Someone may have changed your address
- CRA notice about income you didn't report
- Bank alert for suspicious login attempts
Real Examples Reported in Quebec
"I received a $3,500 bill from Bell for a cell phone account I never opened. Someone had used my SIN and date of birth." — Marie, Montreal
"My mortgage application was denied. When I checked my credit file, I discovered 4 credit cards opened in my name with $25,000 in debt." — Jean, Quebec City
"The CRA sent me a notice saying I received CERB, but I never applied. Someone had applied with my SIN." — Sophie, Laval
"A collection agent was calling me about an $18,000 car loan. I never bought that car." — Pierre, Gatineau
Step-by-Step Action Plan
Step 1: Place Fraud Alerts (immediately)
Contact both credit agencies to place a fraud alert on your file:
- Equifax Canada — 1-800-465-7166 or equifax.ca
- TransUnion Canada — 1-800-663-9980 or transunion.ca
The alert remains active for 6 years and requires lenders to verify your identity before opening an account.
Step 2: Get Your Credit Reports (free)
Request a free copy of your credit file from both agencies. Review it carefully to identify:
- Accounts you didn't open
- Credit inquiries you didn't make
- Unknown addresses or employers
Step 3: File a Police Report
Go to your local police station with:
- ID documents
- Proof of fraud (bills, statements, collection letters)
- Your credit report with fraudulent items identified
Get a report number — You'll need it to dispute fraudulent debts.
Step 4: Contact Fraudulent Creditors
For each fraudulent account identified:
- Call the creditor's fraud department
- Explain that you're a victim of identity theft
- Provide the police report number
- Request account closure and debt cancellation
- Request written confirmation
Step 5: Dispute Erroneous Information
Send a dispute letter to Equifax and TransUnion to have fraudulent items removed from your file. Include:
- Copy of police report
- List of fraudulent accounts
- Sworn statement that you're a victim of identity theft
Protect Your SIN
If your SIN has been compromised, you can request a new number from Service Canada, but only in exceptional cases where you can prove the theft is causing persistent problems. Contact Service Canada: 1-866-274-6627.
Organizations to Contact
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — 1-888-495-8501 — To report identity theft
- Equifax Canada — 1-800-465-7166 — Fraud alert and credit report
- TransUnion Canada — 1-800-663-9980 — Fraud alert and credit report
- Service Canada — 1-866-274-6627 — If your SIN is compromised
- Canada Revenue Agency — 1-800-959-8281 — If tax fraud suspected
- Revenu Quebec — 1-800-267-6299 — For provincial fraud
- Canada Post — If your mail was fraudulently redirected
How Report Quebec Can Help You
Our support:
- Complete documentation of your case for all your procedures
- Timeline of events for police and creditors
- Dispute letter templates for credit agencies
- Personalized list of organizations to contact based on your situation
- Case follow-up to support you over time
Victim of Identity Theft?
Document your case with us. A well-structured file facilitates all your recovery procedures.
File a Report