Stop! THIEF
When it comes to protecting the things you care about most, there are no shortcuts. AMA helps Albertans avoid becoming victims of crime by partnering in programs that keep your home, vehicle and identity safe.
In the information age, your personal information represents your identity. Thieves specializing in identity theft can use your social insurance number, bank account information or other identification to commit fraudulent acts.
With your identity in their hands, thieves may go on credit card and debit card spending sprees, set up a cell phone contract, open bank accounts and apply for loans and mortgages under your name while defaulting on the payments.
Prevention is the best cure. Take AMA’s identity theft quiz to measure your risk and then discover tips to protect yourself from identity crime. AMA Insurance homeowner, condo and renter insurance policies all include identity theft expense coverage.
With changes in international travel, your passport is the most important piece of identification you own. Protect it at all times. Make photocopies to keep in a separate location while traveling and never leave your passport unattended in your baggage, vehicle or hotel room. Be wary of people presenting themselves as police officers and never hand your passport to a stranger.
Mortgage, investment and insurance fraud are growing concerns, but there are simple things you can do to protect your identity and avoid liability for fraudulent activities committed under your name. Discover tips to safeguard your identity and avoid being a victim of fraud.
With the turbulence of real estate and credit markets, mortgage fraud is on the rise. Protect yourself:
- Request a copy of your credit report annually. Look for any suspicious transactions.
- Get a copy of the property title to confirm the name of the legal property owner.
- Arrange for an independent appraisal of any property you are considering buying.
- Deal only with reputable mortgage brokers or lenders.
- Research the appraised value of properties similar to the one you are considering buying.
- Comparison shop with other mortgage lenders.
AMA Insurance’s identity theft expense insurance coverage included in your AMA Insurance home insurance policy will help protect you and your family if you fall victim to fraudulent activities.
Your home is your sanctuary. Home is the place where we escape the stresses of daily life, build our families and share our lives with friends and neighbours.
AMA offers practical tips to help you protect your home from property crime:
- Leave lights on or use a timer when you are not at home.
- Install outdoor motion-sensor lights.
- Lock up bicycles and other recreational equipment.
- Cancel newspaper subscriptions and stop mail delivery when you are going to be away from home for extended periods.
- Consider installing a home security system.
- Keep a record of all credit card, personal and banking information in a separate, secure location so that this information is readily available if these items are stolen.
- Shred old bills, receipts and other documents that contain personal and credit information before placing them in the recycle bin or garbage.
- Have your electronic equipment and other valuables marked by your local police department so that they can be more readily identified if stolen.
- Remove shrubbery and other outdoor objects that could be used as ‘screens’ for intruders.
AMA Insurance can protect your belongings from risks like theft and vandalism with a home insurance policy.
Understanding that every community is unique, AMA partners with programs that focus on preventing crime and building safer neighbourhoods for all Albertans.
Vehicle theft is a major problem across Alberta and AMA works with law enforcement partners to raise awareness of the simple things you can do to avoid being a target.
- Help curb vehicle theft by placing a free All Valuables Removed placard in your window to tell thieves that there is nothing inside worth stealing.
- Display a Stop! THIEF decal in your rear window to give police permission to pull over your vehicle if it’s spotted on the road between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Order your free decal and register for the program online.
- Using an AMA steering wheel lock not only immobilizes your vehicle, it sends a visual message that driving away with your wheels isn’t going to be so easy.
AMA partners with local law enforcement agencies to prevent vehicle theft. Learn about how our Bait Car program with Calgary Police Service is casting a line to reel in thieves.
AMA personal auto insurance can protect you and your family against the unexpected.
