The Scam

BBB recently received notification about a case of Identity Theft in which a scam artist used a stolen library card to steal $600 worth of books from the library under a child's identity.

How did it happen? A pre-teen had his backpack stolen off the bus with his wallet and library card inside. The child's parents reported his debit card stolen to the bank, but they did not think about the library card. A few weeks later the parents were contacted by the library for $600 in library fees for books that had been taken out and not returned. The thief had used the library card to steal the books, and because the parents failed to report the card stolen they were liable for the $600 library fine.

You need to be aware that you can be held responsible and financially accountable for items rented/borrowed/and not returned if a card with your name on it is used (this could be library cards, video rental cards, gym passes, etc.).

How to protect yourself:

Don't carry too many cards. Try not to carry cards like library and video rental cards with you at all times. If you do, store then in a secure place and keep track of them at all times.

Keep track. Make a list of all the plastic cards that are in your wallet and include contact information for the companies that they belong to, in case your wallet is lost or stolen.

Report the theft. If your wallet is stolen with a library or video rental card in it, be sure to contact the issuing organization or business immediately to inform them and get a new card re-issued. 

For more information and live weekly updates on frauds affecting Vancouver Island visit the News Centre at vi.bbb.org; fraudcast.ca; twitter.com/VIBBB; facebook.com; linkedin.com