A survey last month from Sigma Assitel and SOM (Survey, Opinion polls and Marketing) found that identity theft is a growing problem in Canada, and that the United States has pulled ahead of Canada in addressing the issue.

The survey of 1510 adults across Canada found that 7% of respondents have been victims of identity theft, and 16% know someone who has been a victim. SOM indicates that the data is a reflection of Canada as a whole, with a maximum 2.5% variance.

“Our phones, laptops and plastics act as gateways to huge amounts of personal data. Unfortunately these devices are not always adequately secured,” says Michelle Warren, analyst at consultancy firm Info-Tech Research Inc. in London, Ont.

The number of cases of identity theft are no longer just the result of isolated thefts, but of mass data breaches affecting hundreds or thousands of people at a time. Canadians can be affected by breaches across the border in the US as well, as many Canadians found out after the TJX data breach for retail store TJ Maxx.

The survey found that 60% of Canadians have taken some precautions to prevent identity theft. Shredders and safety deposit boxes are more commonly used, and 18% have made “serious efforts” to get information on how to prevent identity theft. However, that still leaves a lot of people at risk. The other respondents don’t feel the need to guard themselves against identity theft, don’t know how to guard themselves, or don’t think it’s possible to prevent the crime.

Experts indicate that the health and retail sectors are paying closer attention to safeguarding client data, although it is a growing concern in all sectors. Stronger breach notification laws have driven some of this change, but Canada still lags behind the US. For example, the US has a task force on identity theft, while Canada does not.

Via InterGovWorld Tags: identity theft, id theft, canada, legislature, business, security, computer security, data breaches