Protect yourself from fraud and identity theft
In 2018, identity theft cost Canadians $21.2 million, nearly doubling from $11.7 million in 2017. As digital financial tools evolve, so do the hackers that exploit them. From SMS scams to phishing emails, protecting your personal information and financial assets takes vigilance and sophistication.
What you can do
- Keep your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to yourself.
Receiving a request for your SIN from an entity that doesn’t need it, such as on a rental application, is quite common. Don’t assume that you’re required to provide it, or trust that it will be handled securely when you do. - Enable alerts for banking transactions.
This helps you become aware of any suspicious activity involving your account instantly. If you use your financial institution’s mobile app – you can opt-in to receive transaction notifications by going to the app’s settings. - Keep a close eye on your credit report.
Some financial institutions offer free instant access to your credit score and report as a value-added service. - Use a strong password.
Personal information can be collected from a variety of sources such as email and social networking sites. Using unique, complex passwords and changing them often makes it harder for hackers to gain access. - Don’t forget about offline security options.
Shred confidential or sensitive documents, opt-out of paper statements and use a hold mail or locked box service when you’re away for an extended period of time.
See more prevention tips here.
Speak to your broker about Identity Theft insurance coverage
Recent data breach incidents involving financial institutions highlight the need for identity theft coverage – it’s one of your best allies to help protect you if your identity is stolen.
Aviva’s Identity Theft coverage pays for the costs associated with recovering your identity, as well as coverage for your financial loss, and gives you easy access to an identity theft caseworker to help guide and support you through the entire process. Plus, you get 24-hour credit bureau monitoring for six months after your identity is stolen and two full credit reports to help you monitor your credit rating.
Sources:
Chartered Professional Accountants Canada - 4 things you need to know about identity theft right now
Canada Post - What is identity theft?
TransUnion - What is identity theft?
The content in this article is for information purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as professional or expert advice. Aviva and the Aviva logo are trademarks of Aviva plc. and are used under licence by Aviva Canada Inc. and its subsidiary companies.