The RCMP has announced a major arrest involving identity theft here in Toronto today. 47 year-old Shakiru Olasunkanmi Ajibola was in court yesterday for a bail hearing in which he faces 170 charges spanning identity theft, mail theft, and possession of credit card data. RCMP officers found Ajibola in possession of more than 100 sets of identification including Canadian citizenship cards, Ontario drivers licenses, credit cards, debit cards, and cheques that were all stolen from the mail. included in the seizure were lists of people the RCMP believe were to be profiles of those to be targeted next. These lists contained personal information including addresses, dates of birth, Social Insurance Numbers, and employmentinformation. Mr. Ajibola himself has apparently assumed almost 100 identities. 

The RCMP is currently working with banking institutions to contact people who have been affected and to help resolve the resulting issues.

To avoid becoming a victim, the RCMP offer the following recommendations:

- sign all credit cards when you receive them

- never loan your credit cards to anyone

- cancel credit cards you do not use and keep track of the ones you useregularly

- immediately report lost or stolen credit cards and any discrepanciesin your monthly statements to the issuing credit card company

- never leave receipts at bank machines, bank wickets, in trash cans, orat unattended gasoline pumps; ensure you destroy paperwork you nolonger need

- never provide personal information such as SIN, date of birth, creditcard numbers, or PIN over the telephone unless you initiate the call

- promptly remove mail from your secure mailbox after delivery and donot leave pieces of mail lying around your residence or work site

- destroy (ie shred completely) pre-approved credit card applications,credit card receipts, bills and related information when they are nolonger needed

- avoid keeping a written record of your bank PIN number(s), socialinsurance number and computer passwords, and never keep thisinformation in your wallet or hand bag

- change your PIN number on a regular basis

- avoid mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions orsurveys offering instant prizes or awards designed for the purpose ofobtaining your personal details including credit card numbers