March is Fraud Prevention Month which makes it a good time to remind ourselves about the importance of protecting our personal and financial information.
Identity theft is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for your personal and financial well-being. It can happen to anyone, at any time, and in many different ways. That’s why this month, in support of Fraud Prevention Month, we’re sharing information on some of the most common scams in Canada, how to avoid becoming a victim, and what to do if you suspect you are a victim of identity theft.
Phishing Scams
We may talk about phishing scams a lot, but that’s because it’s one of the most common scams in Canada according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). And while we all feel confident in spotting a phishing scam, research has shown that only 31% of us are able to correctly identify all of the red flags of an email scam. So it pays to be extra careful by never clicking on links or downloading attachments in unsolicited emails, and never providing personal information through emails or text messages. If you’re in doubt, contact the organization emailing or texting you directly through a verified phone number or website to confirm the legitimacy of the request.
CRA Scams
Tech support scams
These scams involve fraudsters posing as tech support representatives and offering to fix computer problems remotely for a fee. To avoid tech support scams, never give control of your computer to someone who contacts you unsolicited – once they have access to your computer, they can install malicious software, steal your personal information and cause serious financial damage.
Even with our best efforts to protect ourselves from identity theft, we can still fall victim to scams. That’s why it’s important to have a backup plan in place. Our online identity monitoring can help by keeping an eye on your personal information and alerting you as soon as possible if it’s detected online or on the dark web. And if you ever become a victim of identity theft, our agents can help you through the recovery process with their expert guidance and support.
Fraud Prevention Month is the perfect time to review your fraud prevention practices and take extra steps to protect yourself from identity theft. So let’s all join together in the fight against fraud this March and keep ourselves safe!
