Don’t Be Fooled:
With fraud on the rise across Canada, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant about potential scams. One common tactic used by online criminals is phishing, where they impersonate legitimate businesses or institutions to trick you into revealing sensitive information.
How Phishing Works:
Phishing scams often involve emails, text messages, or even phone calls that appear to be from a trusted source, like your bank or a popular online retailer. These messages might urge you to “verify” your account information, frequently by clicking on a link that takes you to a fake website designed to look identical to the real one.
The Danger:
Once you enter your personal information, such as your password, credit card number, or other sensitive data, on a fake website, the criminals have access to it. They can then use this information to steal your identity, make unauthorized purchases, or even empty your bank account.
Red Flags to Watch For:
- Suspicious Links: Be wary of links in emails or text messages that seem too good to be true, especially if they ask you to update your account information or claim you’ve won a prize.
- Urgency: Phishing scams often create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly before you have time to think critically.
- Grammatical Errors: Phishing emails typically contain grammatical errors or typos, which can be a sign that the message is not from a legitimate source.
- Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate businesses rarely ask for your password, credit card number, or other sensitive information via email or text message.
Protecting Yourself:
- Be Skeptical: Always be cautious about unsolicited emails, text messages, or phone calls, especially if they ask for personal information.
- Verify Information: If you receive a suspicious message, contact the company or institution directly through their official website or phone number to verify the request.
- Use a Strong Password: Create strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings: When using public Wi-Fi, be extra cautious about accessing sensitive information.
Remember:
The best defence against phishing scams is to be aware of the problem and to be alert when transacting business online. If you suspect you’ve been a victim of a phishing scam, contact your bank or the relevant authorities immediately.
Citizens and Police working together for a better tomorrow.