More than five years after their identities were stolen by scammers who submitted countless loan applications on their behalf, teachers are struggling to have a financial institution clear their names.
“I’ve got my helmet full! I’ve been struggling to get out of this for years, I have the papers to prove I was scammed and it’s still haunting me.”
In December 2017, the Quebec teacher discovered his identity had been spoofed when a Bell representative contacted him and said his information had been used in three different accounts.
In fact, scammers had stolen about fifteen credit cards and cell phones on his behalf in a data breach that affected some 50,000 teachers across Quebec.
“Once the situation was known all accounts were promptly closed and my debts cleared… except for BMO. In 2021, after days of silliness, I was finally told everything was beautiful,” says the man.
The worst possible odds
But Mr. Charland wasn’t finished with his problems with the financial institution. As he was preparing to renew his mortgage over the past few days, he was told he had a credit rating of R9 on a debt pending collection at BMO.
DIDIER DEBUSSCISSORS/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
François Charland says he lost tens of thousands of dollars to a high-yield mortgage linked to his bad credit after his identity theft.
This is the worst possible probability, tantamount to bankruptcy.
In an almost identical situation is Dave Mallette, a teacher from Repentigny who was also affected by the data breach. An issue with BMO in 2021 is said to be resolved, followed by the discovery of the pot of roses in mortgage renewals this year.
“I had to extend my loan at the bank where I already had a bad interest rate…I’m exhausted,” he breathes, recounting his “nightmare.”
A BMO spokeswoman, who was approached on several occasions on the subject, eventually settled on saying that she was not allowed to share any information about a customer.
Not over the hill
But even if they did win their case before the financial institution, Mr. Mallette and Mr. Charland wouldn’t necessarily be out of the woods.
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBE
Patrick Mathieu, Hackfest co-founder and cybersecurity expert
Like the roughly 50,000 other teachers affected by the data theft in 2017-2018, their personal information is still circulating, said cybersecurity expert Patrick Mathieu.
“Until there is a Canadian digital identity, we will go around in circles and get caught trying to put out fires. Her social security number and information has already been leaked, it’s too late,” he explains.
Equifax’s credit monitoring system allows for some vigilance, says Mathieu, but in many cases it will be difficult to stop fraud before it occurs.
A big data theft
- More than 51,400 teachers affected
- 360,000 teachers were and are at risk
- In 2020, three Montrealers were arrested and charged
Source: Government of Quebec and Sûreté du Québec
Fraud in Canada in 2022
- $531 million: Financial losses in Canada related to fraud
- $42 million in financial losses in Quebec related to fraud
- 57,578: Victims of domestic fraud
- 92.078: Fraud reports to countries
- 1st place: Quebec has ranked first in Canada for two years when it comes to identity fraud.
Source: Canada Anti-Fraud Center