A day after Lance Bryndzak set up a phone account at a Rogers Communications store in St. Albert he was arrested for identity fraud.
Store employees quickly discovered that the account was set up under someone else's name and contacted the police. Several identity cards were found in Bryndzak's wallet during his arrest on March 12. None were in his name.
Bryndzak, 22, of Edmonton, will now serve 132 days in jail after pleading guilty on April 13 in St. Albert Court – he was given credit for 32 days already served – and 12 months of probation. His probation orders include not being in possession of identification that's not in his name, abstaining from alcohol and drug use, and be of good behaviour. He also cannot re-enter the Rogers store, and must attend counselling as directed.
"Society will not tolerate this type of behaviour," Judge Bruce Garriock said Monday, adding that the sentence is meant to deter Bryndzak from future crime.
Bryndzak is known to impersonate others and has a criminal record including property offences from 2014. Asked whether he understood his sentence he only said, "Yeah."
RCMP warn of identity theft
Identity theft is a growing concern for the St. Albert RCMP. In past months, it has received several calls from people who discovered that someone applied for a new credit card under their name, taken out cash or loans, or transferred their money to another account.
Banks and businesses are vigilant about making residents aware of the danger of identity theft. But if someone walks in with your information, "it's really hard for a business person to know it's not you," said Cpl. Laurel Kading in a previous interview.
The RCMP asks residents to be vigilant about keeping their identity safe, and their doors locked. Thefts from vehicles are on the rise and it's not only money and electronics that are taken now.
Thieves look for identity cards left in purses and glove compartments, such as credit cards, driver's licences, SIN cards and registration papers, which they can sell on the black market. More than 84 thefts from cars were reported since the beginning of 2015.
"It's because we live so electronically. The ability, if I get enough information about you, to set up accounts under your name, it's actually easy," said Kading. "If I can have your birth certificate, I can get a driver's licence under that name. Birth certificates don't have pictures."
Victims of fraud or identity theft should contact the RCMP at 780-458-7700. More information is also available on the website of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
Guarding personal information
The Alberta government has a tip sheet for consumers on how to minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. For more information go to servicealberta.ca/560.cf for information on fraud awareness.
• When someone asks for information, especially identification, ask why they need it and what they will use it for.
• Cut up expired and unused credit cards and vehicle registrations. The card may have expired, but the number could still be used.
• Carry only identification and credit cards you need that day. You rarely need to carry your birth certificate, SIN card or passport.
• Don't fill in forms for contests, rebates or draws that ask for more information than you are prepared to give.
• Lock your household mailbox if possible. Don't leave personal information lying around at home, in your vehicle or at work.
• Don't give personal information to anyone who phones or emails unless you know who they are. Identity thieves may pose as someone from a bank, an Internet service provider or a government agency.
