Fraud Protection
General tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud:
Keep important personal documents such as your birth certificate, social
insurance number and your passport in a safe and secure place. Don’t carry
them around with you if you don’t need them.
Never give out personal information such as your credit card number, bank
account number or social insurance number over the phone, at the door or
online, unless you know and trust the person.
Be careful when you get rid of old statements and bills, it is best to shred
them. Fraudsters can rummage through your garbage and recycling for old
bank statements and bills to obtain your personal information and use it for
fraudulent purposes.
Do not click on pop-up windows or respond to emails, open attachments or go
to website links sent b y people you do not know. Your bank or credit union will
not send you anything by email unless you ask them to.
Be suspicious if someone you don’t know asks you to send them money or a
cheque, or to return money they “accidentally” sent you.
Never feel pressured to sign an agreement or contract in the moment, even if
it’s a “limited time offer.” It’s best to wait until you or someone you know and
trust can look over the details of the agreement or contract.
Before hiring someone or agreeing to have work done on your home, ask for
proof of identity and references and check them.
For more information on fraud and fraud protection visit:
http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/Eng/forConsumers/topics/fraud/Pages/home-
accueil.aspx
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