Be aware that depending on your privacy settings on your social media accounts, when you post something, it could be like going into a very crowded room and yelling it out to strangers. That’s one of the tips from SaskTel and Crime Stoppers as they team up to help everyone protect themselves from online fraud and other cyber scams for Fraud Prevention Month.
SaskTel spokesperson, Greg Jacobs, suggests keeping things like the fact that you are going to be away on vacation to your trusted friends and family, and then posting pictures afterwards. Jacobs adds that posting where you work or go to school, or your birth date may seem minor, but bad actors could collect that information and if they gain more information through phishing scams, they may be able to access other accounts of yours.
Another tip is to use a different password for each of your online accounts, which are at least 12 characters in length and include numbers, upper and lowercase letters and special characters.
If you believe you are a victim of an online or phone scam and you have given money or provided detailed personal information, report it to the police, and notify your financial institution, Equifax and TransUnion to ensure fraud alerts are place on your accounts.
All types of fraud, online or otherwise, can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501.
The CAFC has information about the types of scams prevalent in Canada on its website: www.antifraucentre-centreantifraude.ca
5 Tips to Prevent Online Fraud
Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – By requiring the user to provide two or more verification factors, MFA provides an extra layer of protection that makes it significantly more difficult for fraudsters to gain access to your online accounts.
Password Protection – Use a strong and unique password for each online account. Passwords should be at least 12 characters in length and include numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and special characters. For added protection, consider using a passphrase or a random password generator. Also, never share your passwords with anyone.
Beware of Suspicious Emails and Text Messages – Don’t click on links or download attachments from suspicious or unfamiliar senders as they may contain malware or viruses.
Don’t Share Personal Information Online – Sharing too much information on social media or online can help fraudsters and other cyber criminals take advantage of you. Your upcoming vacation, the name of your pet, and even your birthday are pieces of information that are best kept to yourself.
Update Your Devices – Keep your device software up-to-date and install critical security patches as soon as they are available. Failing to do so can give hackers the opening they need to access your device and the all the personal information stored on it.
