Identity Theft in British Columbia
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Identity theft is a criminal offence under Canada's Criminal Code, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. If someone steals your personal information and uses it without your consent, you have the right to take action.
Key steps to protect yourself:
- Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501.
- Place a fraud alert with Equifax (1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion (1-800-663-9980).
- Credit freezes are currently only available in Quebec. Ontario is adding them in July 2026.
- Report to local police — you'll need a police report for many dispute processes.
When does it apply?
- Anyone whose personal information is stolen and used without consent.
- This includes fraudulent credit applications, bank accounts, government benefits claims, and tax fraud.
What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen in Canada
- Contact the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 to report the fraud.
- Call Equifax and TransUnion to place fraud alerts on your credit files.
- Report to local police and get a copy of the police report.
- Contact your bank and credit card companies to flag your accounts.
- Change all your passwords — especially email, banking, and government accounts.
- Check your CRA My Account for any fraudulent tax activity.
- Review your credit reports for any accounts you don't recognize.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't delay reporting — the longer you wait, the more damage the thief can do.
- Don't pay debts you didn't create — dispute them with the creditor and the credit bureaus.
- Don't throw away evidence of the fraud — keep all letters, statements, and records.
- Don't assume it will resolve itself — identity theft requires active steps to fix.
- Don't ignore suspicious CRA correspondence — it could be a sign someone filed taxes in your name.
How British Columbia differs from federal law
Identity theft is a criminal offence under the federal Criminal Code. BC has additional provincial tools for victims.
- BC's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) governs how private-sector organizations in BC collect, use, and disclose personal information. If a data breach at a BC company leads to your identity being stolen, PIPA requires the organization to notify affected individuals and the BC Information and Privacy Commissioner.
- Under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, identity theft victims can place a fraud alert with credit bureaus and are protected from liability for unauthorized transactions if they report promptly.
- The BC Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) investigates complaints about private-sector data breaches under PIPA and can order organizations to improve their security practices.
- RCMP and municipal police in BC will take identity theft reports, which are needed for credit bureau disputes and fraud investigations.
Additional Steps in British Columbia
If you are a victim of identity theft: (1) Report to police and get a file number. (2) Contact Equifax (1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion (1-800-663-9980) to place fraud alerts and request your credit reports. (3) Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. (4) If a BC company's data breach caused the theft, file a complaint with the OIPC. (5) Contact Consumer Protection BC for guidance on next steps.
Relevant Law: Personal Information Protection Act, SBC 2003, c. 63; Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c. C-46, ss. 402–402.2 (identity theft and identity fraud); Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, SBC 2004, c. 2
Common Questions
When does identity theft apply?
Anyone whose personal information is stolen and used without consent.This includes fraudulent credit applications, bank accounts, government benefits claims, and tax fraud.
What should I do if someone stole my identity in Canada?
Contact the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 to report the fraud.Call Equifax and TransUnion to place fraud alerts on your credit files.Report to local police and get a copy of the police report.Contact your bank and credit card companies to flag your accounts.Change all your passwords — especially email, banking, and government accounts.Check your CRA My Account for any fraudulent tax activity.Review your credit reports for any accounts you don't recognize.
What mistakes should I avoid with identity theft?
Don't delay reporting — the longer you wait, the more damage the thief can do.Don't pay debts you didn't create — dispute them with the creditor and the credit bureaus.Don't throw away evidence of the fraud — keep all letters, statements, and records.Don't assume it will resolve itself — identity theft requires active steps to fix.Don't ignore suspicious CRA correspondence — it could be a sign someone filed taxes in your name.
Identity Theft in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.