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Preventing Fraud
You can help protect yourself from electronic identity theft by following some simple precautions.
Stay safe online
Stay safe online
Life is just a little easier when you use your computer and mobile devices to get things done online. But there are a few simple and sensible things you should do to protect yourself against risks.
- Change your passwords regularly.
- Don’t use the same password for everything.
- Do not use public wifi to access online or mobile banking.
- Never click to accept an e-transfer from someone you do not know.
- Install anti-virus software to protect your data from viruses and malware. Apply security updates as soon as you receive them.
- Install anti-spyware software to keep others from gathering information about your online habits or making unauthorized changes to your computer.
- Implement a firewall to prevent unauthorized access.
- If an email looks suspicious, stop before you click.
- Look carefully at what it claims and think about whether it makes sense.
- Check the branding, language and spelling to judge whether it seems legitimate.
- Call the company and make sure the email came from them.
- Remember that your credit union will never email to confirm your personal information
- Consider reporting phishing to the Government of Canada Spam Reporting Centre at spam@fightspam.gc.ca. Report additional specifics such as resulting malware infection online at fightspam.gc.ca/src
- Never click on a banner ad or pop-up window that says Agree, OK or I accept.
Check out these (safe) links for more information on how to stay safe online
Phishing and Fraudulent Emails
A common way for Internet scammers to obtain your personal information is through a method called phishing. Phishing works by sending communications, which appear to be from your financial institution, but they are not. You are asked, supposedly by your financial institution, to log in to your online banking to verify account information. Often some type of security concern is cited as the issue. The fake email instructs you to click on a link that takes you to a non-legitimate version of your online banking site.
Phishing emails may include:
Scam emails often have some telling signs, including:
Phishing emails may include:
- Warnings about account closures
- Requests to update your information
- Offers to register for a new service
- Offers for pre-approved credit cards
- Free virus-protection programs
Scam emails often have some telling signs, including:
- Poor spelling or grammar
- Warning that your account will be closed if you don’t provide your banking or personal details immediately
- Notices that you’ve won a prize and are required to pay a fee in order to claim it
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