National Survey on Identity Theft
Two out of three Canadians are concerned about this growing trend
Montreal, June 13, 2007 – The first edition of a cross-Canada survey on identity theft, conducted by SOM on behalf of Sigma Assistel, shows that two out of three Canadians are concerned about the identity theft trend, while four out of ten believe they will likely be victims of identity theft in the years ahead. “These results aren’t surprising, given the growing incidence of identity theft in North America. Fortunately, there are simple and accessible methods of protecting yourself from identity theft, particularly with summer vacation approaching, which carries its own set of risks,” says Louise Des Ormeaux, General Manager of Sigma Assistel.
The study found that 60% of Canadians have taken measures to protect themselves against identity theft. In fact, 45% of Canadians have purchased a shredder; 30% have had a home alarm system installed; 30% have rented a safety-deposit box from their financial institution; and 18% have made a serious effort to find out more about preventing identity theft.
The main reasons cited by those who have taken no action to guard against identity theft are: they don’t feel the need to (38%); they don’t know enough about it or how to protect themselves from it (28%); or they don’t think it’s possible to prevent it (18%).
“Nevertheless,” explains Martine Gervais, head of the identity theft assistance service at Sigma Assistel, “there are a variety of basic measures that citizens and consumers can take to significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. The first of these measures is to be aware that this danger exists and that it isn’t something that just happens to other people. Public awareness will help limit risky behavior.” Other basic recommendations are:
- Never answer requests to confirm your PIN number, credit card numbers, social insurance number, driver’s license (etc.) by telephone or e-mail, unless you initiated the request.
- Collect your mail every day. Your mail contains a great deal of personal information, and fraudsters know this well;
- Use a shredder to destroy all of your personal documents;
- Do not do business over the Internet with unknown companies;
- Use a credit card that with a low credit limit when making online purchases.
During the summer holiday period, additional measures should also be considered:
- Arrange for your mail to be collected the entire time you are away. Ask a trusted neighbor, friend or family member to pass by regularly to gather your mail;
When traveling, use just one credit card to keep risks to a minimum. Retain all of your receipts in order to conduct a reconciliation when you return home;
Never leave your passport at a hotel front desk or with a tour operator. Providing your passport number is sufficient;
If you are traveling by car, never leave your identification documents or credit cards in the glove compartment or trunk.
In addition, there are anti-identity theft assistance services that can help Canadians better protect themselves against this situation. As well as helping to prevent this crime, these services will accompany identity theft victims as they work to minimize the impact of the theft and/or recover their identities quickly and safely. However, the survey revealed that only 6% of the population is aware of these services and only 1% have access to them or have already subscribed to them.
Identity theft facts and figures
The survey conducted with Canadians about identity theft also revealed that:
- Close to one in 15 Canadians (7%) has already been a victim of identity theft, and nearly one in six Canadians (16%) knows someone who has been a victim.
In the event of identity theft, almost all Canadians would contact their police department (95%) or financial institution (93%), which is a completely valid action to take. Close to three-quarters (71%) would contact their home or life and health insurer, and more than half (57%) would contact their alarm system provider.
Most Canadians (59%) would prefer for the organization they turn to for help in case of identity theft to act on their behalf, while 28% of respondents believe that the organization should provide them with all the necessary information so that they can take action themselves (13% of respondents would like to see a combination of these two approaches).
In addition, according to the data compiled by the Phone Busters call centre, identity theft 7,778 Canadians were victims of identity theft in 2006 and the related losses totaled $16.3 million.
The cross-Canada survey was conducted by SOM on behalf of Sigma Assistel via 1,510 interviews. This sample provides results with a maximum margin of error of 2.6%, 19 times out of 20.
About Sigma Assistel
Sigma Assistel, a Canadian leader in telephone assistance and a subsidiary of Desjardins Financial Security, serves more than 5 million Canadians today. The company’s growth for the last two years has been 21% and 20%. The company strives to offer cost-competitive solutions to meet the needs of groups, businesses, and organizations concerned about the well-being of their employees, members, and clients. Sigma Assistel is committed to providing appropriate, high-quality assistance services – anytime and anywhere, no matter what the nature of the request. These services available 24/7 include Health Assistance, Legal Assistance, Home Assistance, Travel Assistance, Roadside Assistance, as well as ID Theft Assistance and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
Louise Turgeon appointed Chairwoman of Sigma Assistel Board of Directors
Lévis, May 18, 2005 - The Board of Directors for Sigma Assistel appoints Louise Turgeon as Chairwoman. Ms. Turgeon, is committed to keeping the company, which is a pioneer in providing telephone assistance services to three-and-a-half million Canadians for services ranging from road-side, to travel, to employee and insurance assistance, on the cutting edge. "Without a doubt, Sigma Assistel is the company that offers the widest range of assistance services. We are therefore going to continue innovating to offer quality services that will meet the constantly growing needs of our users."
In addition to her new function, Ms. Turgeon will continue in her role as senior vice-president of AssurFinance for Institutions, AssurDirect and Desjardins Relations at Desjardins Financial Security.
A growing company
Over the last two years, Sigma Assistel posted 21 per cent and 20 per cent growth rates. "Our customers: life, health and property insurance companies, credit card issuers and financial institutions, membership program providers, national and multinational companies, insurance firms and other intermediaries, recognize the real added value that our services can bring their product offer and the undeniable competitive edge this can provide for them. It's with this high level of customer satisfaction in mind that we expect to continue supporting our growth on the Canadian market," concluded Ms. Turgeon.
Wide range of quality services
A Canadian leader in telephone assistance services, Sigma Assistel, a subsidiary of Desjardins Financial Security, serves more than three-and-a-half million Canadians today. It strives to respond to the needs of companies and organizations concerned with the well-being of their employees, members or clients by pledging to provide appropriate and quality assistance services at competitive rates, regardless of the time, location or nature of the call. Services are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and include medical assistance, legal assistance, home assistance, travel assistance, roadside assistance, as well as employee assistance programs.
Hbc offers MotorPlus Emergency Roadside Assistance
Toronto, December 13, 2004 - Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc), in collaboration with Consumer Membership Services Canada and Sigma Assistel, has launched a strategic business partnership to provide its customers with emergency roadside assistance. MotorPlus is a comprehensive cross-Canada roadside assistance program supported by a helpful, round-the-clock call centre team. MotorPlus provides the usual services expected but with a different approach.
"Hbc is excited by the partnership we have designed with CMSC and Sigma Assistel," said Keith Smith, General Manager, Financial Products and Services for Hbc. "MotorPlus will provide our customers with 24-hour Emergency Assistance service for roadside emergencies. Immediate, reassuring and helpful assistance is a toll-free phone call away."
MotorPlus is being made available to Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters customers across Canada. This new initiative offers members all the components of standard roadside assistance with the convenience of monthly payments billed to their Hbc Credit Card and coverage based on the car, not the driver, ensuring expanded protection for all licensed family members.
MotorPlus provides quality customer protection and peace of mind with the following notable features:
- 24 hour / 365 days a year service availability provided by an established Assistance Group
- Multiple vehicles coverage
For families who own more than one vehicle. The more vehicles you own, the less it costs per vehicle.
- More service calls
Maximum of 5 service calls per year per vehicle
- Towing distance
The vehicle will be towed to the nearest repair facility up to a maximum of 40 Kilometres (per tow)
About Hbc
Hudson's Bay Company, established in 1670 is Canada's largest department store retailer and oldest corporation. The Company provides Canadians with the widest selection of goods and services available through numerous retail channels including more than 450 stores led by the Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters chains. Hudson's Bay Company is one of Canada's largest employers with 70,000 associates and operations in every province in Canada.
About Consumer Membership Services Canada
Consumer Membership Services, a subsidiary of Canadian Premier Holdings, is a Canadian marketer of loyalty and membership products and services. Canadian Premier Holdings is owned by AEGON N.V. Headquartered in the Netherlands, AEGON N.V. is the holding company of one of the world's largest listed life insurance groups. The AEGON Group primarily operates in three major markets: the Americas - including the United States and Canada - the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. More than 80% of Aegons business comprises life insurance, pensions and related savings and investment products. The Group employs over 27,000 people worldwide.
About Sigma Assistel
Sigma Assistel is a pioneer in Canadian telephone assistance services. Since the mid 1980s, they have been a leader in the delivery of information and solutions for clients and their customers that include major Canadian and International Corporations, Insurers, Financial Institutions, Credit Card Issuers and Membership Groups. Currently, almost 3 million Canadians have access to Sigma Assistel assistance services 24 hours a day.
For further information:
Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc)
Alisha Bard
Corporate Communications
416-861-6463
alisha.bard@Hbc.com
Consumer Membership Services Canada
Shannon Scott
Account Manager
905-948-2124
sscott1@aegonusa.com
Sigma Assistel
Jean Hervieux
Director, Business Development
416-446-6363 (Toronto)
514-875-3307 (Montreal)
1-866-424-8874 (toll free)
jhervieux@assistel.com
Munich Re Partners with Sigma Assistel
Toronto, January 14, 2004 - Munich Reinsurance Company, Canadian Life and Health Operations today announced a strategic alliance with Sigma Assistel, a leading provider of telephone assistance services, to continue to support the growth of critical illness products in Canada.
"Munich Re is very pleased with the partnership we have formed with Sigma Assistel," said Jim Brierley, President. "Sigma Assistel telephone assistance services will provide our clients with a value-added competitive advantage in the critical illness insurance marketplace. The integration of these services with critical illness insurance benefits will provide policyholders with the ability to have access to a wide range of services for their day-to-day lives. In the event of a critical illness, these services could be invaluable to the policyholders."
Since 1996, Munich Re has been at the forefront of critical illness insurance market development. This new partnership demonstrates the ongoing commitment of Munich Re to the critical illness insurance market in Canada.
"We are proud to have the opportunity to partner with Munich Re in offering its clients and policyholders a one-stop access to assistance services that can make their life easier when facing a critical illness and its consequences," said Louise Des Ormeaux, General Manager. "Our wide range of services makes it easier for them and their families to focus on getting better rather than having to invest time and energy looking for answers to their questions or locating property and home related services."
The telephone assistance services offered by Sigma Assistel include:
- Health Assistance
Provides answers to medical, lifestyle or health related questions.
- Convalescence Assistance
Provides expert medical assistance and qualified referrals to people who need home and property services and resources while recovering from accidents, surgery or serious illness.
- Psychological Assistance
Helps people who need active and confidential expert listening when facing emotional or life problems.
- Domestic Assistance
Provides support and referrals to people dealing with life difficulties and day-to-day situations.
- Home Assistance
Provides qualified referrals for local resources to people who need help with home maintenance, repairs and emergencies.
- Legal Assistance
Helps people who need answers about law related matters in their daily lives.
About Munich Re
Munich Re is the world's largest reinsurance company and is the leading life and health reinsurer in Canada. With over 5,000 employees worldwide, Munich Re provides risk management solutions to more than 5,000 companies in 150 countries.
About Sigma Assistel
Sigma Assistel is a pioneer in Canadian telephone assistance services. Since the mid 1980s, they have been a leader in the delivery of information and solutions for clients and their customers that include major Canadian and International Corporations, Insurers, Financial Institutions, Credit Card Issuers and Membership Groups. Currently, almost 3 million Canadians have access to Sigma Assistel assistance services 24 hours a day.
Lloyd Steinke, Executive Vice-President of the Munich Reinsurance Company, Canadian Life and Health Operations, and Louise Des Ormeaux, General Manager of Sigma Assistel, have signed the business agreement.
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