Those dreaded post-Christmas credit card bills will start arriving in the mail soon. At a time when statements contain many and varied transactions, it's important to keep a watchful eye for any suspicious transactions that thieves could sneak under your radar, cautions BCAA Insurance. "Identity theft - the stealing, misrepresenting or hijacking of another person's identity - will continue to grow unless consumers become more vigilant," says BCAA Product Manager Brooke Hanson. "Most people aren't aware that there are a few simple steps to prevent identity theft. The new year is a great time for everyone to start taking a more proactive approach to protecting their identity." In keeping with similar New Year pledges, BCAA recommends you make the following identity theft resolutions: Resolution 1: I will be on the look-out for warning signs - Review your credit card and bank statements regularly and thoroughly

for any suspicious activity. Also, consider reviewing your credit

reports on a regular basis. - Never respond to unsolicited e-mails or phone calls asking for your

SIN, billing, login or any other personal information. - Be aware of your purse or wallet at all times. Although identity theft

has become more high-tech in recent years, pickpockets are still

around searching for a loosely guarded wallet or handbag to snatch. - Beware of shoulder surfers - people who either purposely overhear

conversations or look over shoulders in order to steal sensitive

information. When making purchases or at an ATM, be sure your credit

cards, bank cards, driver's license, and cheques cannot be easily

viewed by others. - If possible, use an ATM in a well-lit area, preferably one with a

security guard. If you see a strange piece of equipment attached to

your ATM, use another machine. The device may be a tool used for

"skimming," a process which records the details of your transaction. Resolution 2 - I will report any suspicious activity immediately - The sooner you address fraudulent activity, the less damage will be

done to your credit. - Keep a registry of your cards, account numbers, expiration dates and

toll-free customer service numbers and keep it in a safe place. Report

your cards lost or stolen as soon as you notice they are missing. Resolution 3 - I promise to shred all my personal information - Always retrieve your receipt from the ATM or a purchase and do not

throw it away in a public place where others can access it. Also, keep

all receipts together in a safe place while you're shopping. Be sure

to shred those receipts and any other mail that contains personal

information. Resolution 4 - I will be wary of giving personal information out on the internet - Update your computer's virus detection software regularly. - Use a secure browser. When you're submitting information, look for the

"lock" icon on the status bar. It's a symbol that your information is

secure during transmission. - Make sure you shop on sites that start with https and not http - the

"s" means the site is secure. - When purchasing online, keep a printout of the web page(s) describing

the item you ordered, any e-mail messages, and the page that lists the

seller's contact information along with instructions for any problems

you may encounter. Sometimes despite best efforts, identity thieves may still steal and misuse your personal information. As this is always a risk, BCAA encourages consumers to get extra protection by purchasing identity theft insurance.

BCAA is the province's largest member services organization, working on behalf of its 750,000 members in B.C. and the Yukon to represent their interests and satisfy their needs for security and peace of mind in motoring, travel and at home. In addition to homeowners' and renters' insurance, BCAA Insurance Agency also offers insurance coverage in the areas of life, extended health, personal accident, out-of-province medical, auto and pet.

For further information: contact: Brooke Hanson, Product Manager, Home Insurance, Tel: (604) 268-5590, E-mail: brooke.hanson@bcaa.com; Jennifer Timm, Coordinator, Media Relations, Tel: (604) 268-5342, Cell: (778) 228 8859, E-mail: jennifer.timm@bcaa.com

Source: newswire