It was bad enough for a young Nanaimo woman to have her identification stolen from a public swimming pool four years ago, but her troubles didn't end there.
Eliza McGuire recently found out the stolen ID was used to steal her identity, her credit history and her university savings.
Before starting studies at a Nova Scotia university, she set up a joint account with her parents for her post secondary education.
The family knew something was wrong when that account suddenly ran dry.
They have since learned to be more vigilant in their financial affairs, and want to share the experience, to spare others victimization.
Eliza's wallet was stolen in 2010.
"We reported it, nothing really happened," said Eliza's mother Nancy McGuire, a Nanaimo retiree.
Police filed a report and Eliza replaced the missing ID. She thought that was the end of it.
"In October, we found out about the first transactions. Whoever these people are, they probably have a way of purchasing stolen ID."
After the purse was stolen from a Qualicum Beach recreation centre, the McGuires believe it was sold to professionals who used it to set up fake bank accounts and open credit card accounts, and to tap into her existing joint education savings account In October, Eliza went to buy groceries in Wolfville, N.S., but the account was empty.
When Nancy looked closely at the bank records she saw a systematic withdrawal of more than $7,000 over several months. It was frustrating at first talking to bank staff, who assumed it was a banking error, and offered an overdraft.
The McGuires knew it was something fishy and weren't interested in an overdraft After that, creditors started to call, from credit card companies Eliza had never signed onto.
They saw the scope of the identity theft by submitting Eliza's name to both Canadian credit rating agencies.
And although they've taken steps to correct the information, the calls continue. Nancy is fortunate she is retired, and has the time to deal with it. But it's stressful.
"It's hundreds and hundreds of hours," she said.
To avoid being victimized, Nancy advises people to watch their bank accounts closely and often, and get the bank to freeze the account at the first sign of suspicious transfers.
Transunion and Equifax credit rating agencies both allow people to check their credit rating, usually for free. Nancy advises using the service.
More tips are available online at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
If things go wrong, Nancy said whenever you talk to someone, take good notes.
Suspects were later arrested in the case, and the bank did reimburse the missing money, but the experience has been draining for the McGuires.
"You have no idea what it's like, to have a 21-year-old go through this, going to school," Nancy said.
"It's completely frustrating. No one would believe the hours you put in and what you go through, unless you go through it."
