Identity Theft- a Ad Perspective

I recently came across a TELUS ad on identity theft, and it made me question “how safe am I, really?” The ad had creatively highlighted identity theft by showing a man impersonating a parent pushing a stroller with a teddy instead of a child, while another person receives an alert about their identity being used elsewhere. This perfectly captured the unsettling reality of how easy it is for someone to steal your personal information and hurt you. One moment, you’re just going about your day, and the next, a stranger is using your identity to incur debt, access your accounts, or even commit crimes in your name. It also showed how subtle identity theft can be. The ad didn’t show some hacker in a dark hoodie typing away in a basement no, it was normal, everyday situations where someone was being impersonated and may have unknowingly given away their personal information through a fake email, an innocent-looking link, a quick phone call from “your bank”, a sketchy WiFi network. And that’s it!
As someone who’s just transitioned into cybersecurity and earned certifications from SANS Institute I’ve been learning a lot about the real-world threats out there. But this ad reminded me that it’s not just technical knowledge that matters. It’s everyday awareness.
Rethink your digital habits. Am I using strong passwords? Do I have multi-factor authentication enabled? Have I been too trusting with my personal information online.
What I found cool is that TELUS offers Online Security powered by Norton with tools that go beyond antivirus, things like identity monitoring, credit alerts, and even identity theft recovery services. It’s not magic, but it’s a layer of protection that buys you time and peace of mind.
That ad reminded me that good cybersecurity is more than just certifications or firewalls—it’s also about everyday awareness and action.