Prevention and Awareness

Prevention

Check out the Canadian Bankers Association for detailed information on fraud prevention. Basic prevention methods include:

• Check your accounts on a regular basis
• Cover your PIN number when using your bank card
• Do not give out your personal or financial information over the phone or email
• Confirm the identity of the person requesting information, especially if they called or emailed you unexpectedly
• Do not allow anyone remote access to your computer
• You are entitled to your credit report, at no cost, once per year so ensure fraudulent accounts and loans have not been opened in your name
• Be cautious! People fall victim because they want to believe things are the way they seem. Fraudsters rely on this.
• Don't be bullied! If you need help, call the police.

Awareness

You need to know how easy it is for fraudsters to use common things to make you feel at ease.

• Mass market frauds, through emails, letters, and phone calls are the number one method of fraud.
• Money transfers can be picked up anywhere in the world (no matter where you think you are sending it).
• A cheque has no value until the bank listed pays on it (it can be returned weeks later).
• 1-800 phone numbers can be obtained by anyone and forwarded to cell phones or off-shore locations.
• Cell phones can be obtained without identification.
• Anyone can make a professional looking website using free software tools.
• Anyone can make glossy, professional looking business cards and handouts.
• If you did not buy a ticket, then you cannot win!
• Fraudsters will initially lead you to believe that they are sending you money but will twist the circumstances and ask you to send money (overpayment on a cheque, inheritance but you must first pay taxes, etc.).