Discover a few simple ways to protect yourself by improving the confidentiality and security of your personal information. To protect yourself, you need to be aware as well as proactive. Here are a few simple ways you can protect yourself by improving the confidentiality and security of your personal information.
2-Step Verification is a type of multi-factor authentication that protects your information by requiring a second “factor” to confirm your identity when signing into your accounts in addition to your Login ID and Personal Access Code.
When enrolling for 2-Step Verification, you will be asked to choose a primary email or mobile phone number to send a one-time verification code. This verification code will ensure that you, and only you, have access to your account.
NOTE: Caisse will never ask for personal or financial information like account numbers, PINs, codes, or passwords through email or text message or ask you to click on any links when prompted for 2-Step Verification.
Identity theft begins when someone obtains your personal information such as your driver’s license, date of birth, health card number, SIN card number, online passwords, credit card number or your card’s Personal Identification Number (PIN).
With a few pieces of personal information they can begin to make financial transactions in your name. They might open a new credit card account, take out a car loan or mortgage your home. You probably won’t realize what has happened until it’s too late and your credit rating is affected.
Don’t carry your SIN card or birth certificate with you. Keep them in a safe place.
Check your credit report at least once a year to look for any credit inquiries or changes you have not authorized.
Be suspicious of any email that asks for personal or account information.
Don’t overshare on social media. Scammers can use your birth date and other personal information to steal your identity.
Shred mail with your address on it.
Canadians are one of the biggest users of debit cards, credit cards and ATMs in the world. And while INTERAC® services are among the most secure in the world, debit card fraud does occur.
Take these steps to protect yourself:
Card skimming occurs when a criminal attaches a device to a credit or debit card reader to collect data from the card.
If the ATM or point of sale device looks like it’s been tampered with don’t insert your card or enter your PIN.
Credit unions and Caisses populaires work actively to detect and investigate irregular account activity. Your member debit and credit cards contain the minimum information needed to securely make a transaction.
Canadian credit unions and Caisses populaires adhere to the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services which protects card holders from losses should their card be used fraudulently. For more information go to Government of Canada – Protecting financial consumers and merchants.
If you lose your debit card or credit card, or you suspect someone has created a duplicate card, let your Caisse Financial Group branch know immediately. Refer to your cardholder agreement for further details on liability.
Cybercriminals have become expert at luring people in with their emails, often impersonating well-known companies, banks and even government agencies. They may ask you to confirm your account information or log in to your account. If you take the bait, they’ve stolen your personal information.
• Email Scams
• Phishing
• Brand spoofing (emails with fraudulent sender addresses)
• CRA Scams
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.
Your Caisse uses a variety of security measures to protect your financial information when banking online.
Special encryption software scrambles your information to make sure it cannot be read or changed while being transmitted.
The following organisations can give you more information about the security of your personal information.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
1-888-495-8501
antifraudcentre.ca
Competition Bureau of Canada
1-800-348-5358
competitionbureau.gc.ca
The Little Black Book of Scams
competitionbureau.gc.ca/blackbook
Government of Canada (Public Safety Canada)
resources on Identity Theft
publicsafety.gc.ca
Major Credit Bureaus
Equifax Canada
To order your credit report or to report identify theft:
1-800-465-7166
consumer.equifax.ca
TransUnion
1-800-663-9980
transunion.ca
Identity theft begins when someone obtains your personal information such as your driver’s license, date of birth, health card number, SIN card number, online passwords, credit card number or your card’s Personal Identification Number (PIN).
With a few pieces of personal information they can begin to make financial transactions in your name. They might open a new credit card account, take out a car loan or mortgage your home. You probably won’t realize what has happened until it’s too late and your credit rating is affected.
Cybercriminals have become expert at luring people in with their emails, often impersonating well-known companies, banks and even government agencies. They may ask you to confirm your account information or log in to your account. If you take the bait, they’ve stolen your personal information.
Acting quickly can minimize the damage and help prevent further fraud or theft.
Contact your Caisse Financial Group branch immediately:
If you lose your debit card or credit card, or you suspect someone has created a duplicate card, let your Caisse Financial Group branch know immediately.
If the ATM or point of sale device looks like it’s been tampered with don’t insert your card or enter your PIN.
Report your lost or stolen device to your carrier so they can disable your account to prevent calls, texts, and data use. Report your lost or stolen device to local law enforcement.
© Caisse Financial Group
Be Fraud Smart
