Discovered Your Identity Was Stolen? Steps to Recover

You’ve just learned your identity may have been stolen, but you’re unsure when it happened—it could have been weeks or even months ago. Identity theft can significantly damage your finances and credit standing in Canada, but discovering it after the fact doesn’t mean it’s too late to act. Fraudsters often wait months or years before using stolen personal information, so vigilance and prompt steps can still limit the harm.

What are the signs of identity theft?

Identity theft is frequently discovered long after the initial breach. Watch for these common warning signs:

• Bills or statements stop arriving. This can mean your mailing address or email has been changed by someone else.
• Your credit score drops unexpectedly, which may indicate new accounts were opened in your name and left unpaid.
• Unfamiliar charges appear on your credit card or unauthorized withdrawals are made from your bank account.
• You receive mail for credit cards, loans, or services you didn’t apply for.
• Debt collectors contact you about accounts or balances that aren’t yours.

If you notice one or more of these signs, investigate promptly—early detection limits losses and makes recovery easier.

What to do if you discover ID theft

If you confirm or strongly suspect identity theft, act immediately. Report the incident to local police, your financial institutions, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), and Canada’s credit bureaus (such as Equifax Canada and TransUnion). Request copies of your credit reports and watch them closely for new inquiries, accounts, or other unexpected changes.

Place fraud alerts or security freezes on your credit files where available, notify your banks and credit card issuers to freeze or close affected accounts, and change passwords and security questions on email and financial accounts. Keep detailed records of all communications and reference numbers for any reports you file.

Remain vigilant for several years: stolen information may be sold and reused, so continuous monitoring reduces the chance of repeated damage and helps you spot new fraud quickly.

Credit monitoring made easier

One straightforward way to keep an eye on your credit is subscribing to a credit monitoring service such as Equifax Complete Protection. These services notify you when there’s a new credit inquiry, a new account opened in your name, or a significant change to your credit score. Timely alerts give you a head start to investigate and dispute fraudulent activity.

Monitoring services can also scan the dark web for your personal data and monitor social media for suspicious activity. If you become a victim of identity theft, many services offer access to identity restoration specialists who can guide you through the recovery process and help restore accounts and credit.

How common is identity theft in Canada?

Identity theft is rising in Canada. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received over 11,000 reports of identity theft in 2023, and experts believe many incidents go unreported—meaning the true number of victims is likely higher. Criminals still steal physical documents and rummage mailboxes, but online scams have grown in scale and sophistication.

Cybercriminals increasingly use phishing campaigns, SMS and voice scams, and automated tools—including artificial intelligence—to craft convincing messages that mimic banks and government agencies. These scams aim to trick recipients into revealing login credentials, social insurance numbers, or other sensitive details.

With enough personal information, fraudsters can apply for loans, credit cards, mortgages, withdraw funds, make purchases, or even claim government benefits in your name. That’s why rapid detection and response are key to limiting financial and credit damage.

Get ID theft protection from Equifax

Equifax Complete Protection provides round-the-clock credit monitoring and alerts for suspicious activity. For many victims, the combination of monitoring, dark web scanning, and access to identity restoration support makes the recovery process less stressful and more manageable. If you choose a protection plan, read the terms carefully so you understand the coverage and support provided.

More about fraud:

• Your ID was stolen—what to expect
• You’ve just discovered someone stole your identity—is it too late?
• 7 ways to protect yourself from identity theft
• How to protect your email account from scams
• How to protect your devices against identity theft