Education: Your best defence against fraud

There are many ways you can protect your information as you go about your daily activities. Here are some best practices to keep in mind.

1. Keep all personal documents in a secure place. Never carry your birth certificate, passport, or SIN with you.
    

2. Don’t tell anyone your PIN or share account information. Be aware of your surroundings and cover your hands when using an ATM or your debit card.
    

3. Shred your bills and statements.
    

4. If you don’t recognize the sender, never open emails, pop-up windows, attachments, or select links.
    

5. Be suspicious of requests to send money from people you don’t know or return money mistakenly sent to you. 
    

6. Don’t sign any agreements or contracts to purchase anything without taking time to think it over. If it is a limited time offer and you’re being pressured for an immediate response, it’s probably a sign that it’s best not to buy.
    

7. ​Make sure you ask for proof of identity and check the references of all services providers who do work on your home — especially if unsolicited.
    

8. ​Unless you made contact or know the organization, do not provide personal, credit card, banking, or account information to anyone, whether over the phone, online, or at your front door.

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