March is Fraud Prevention Month

March is Fraud Prevention Month and members of the Kirkland Lake Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) want to remind everyone the importance of keeping vigilant when it comes to protecting your identity, your possessions and your money.

Tips on how to protect yourself

Don’t be afraid to say no: Don’t be intimidated by high-pressure sales tactics. If a telemarketer tries to get you to buy something or to send them money right away, request the information in writing or hang up. Companies will never asked to be paid in gift cards.

Do your research: Always verify that the organization you’re dealing with is legitimate before you take any other action.

If you’ve received a call or other contact from a family member in “trouble”, talk to other family members to confirm the situation.

Don’t give out personal information: Beware of unsolicited calls where the caller asks you for personal information, such as your name, address, birthdate, Social Insurance Number, credit card or banking information

If you didn’t initiate the call, you don’t know who you’re talking to.

Protect your computer / cell phone: Watch out for urgent-looking messages that pop up while you’re browsing online. Don’t click on them or call the number they provide.

Protect your online accounts: By taking the following steps, you can better protect your online accounts from fraud and data breaches:

  • Create a strong password by:
  • Using a minimum of 8 characters including upper and lower case letters, and at least 1 number and a symbol
  • Creating unique passwords for every online account including social networks, emails, financial and other accounts
  • Using a combination of passphrases that are easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess
  • Enable multi-factor authentication
  • Only log into your accounts from trusted sources
  • Don’t reveal personal information over social media

LEARN MORE

If you do suspect you have been a victim of a fraud, contact your local police detachment. For more information on how you can protect yourself from fraudulent activities, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) website at www.antifraudcentre.ca/ or by telephone at 1-888-495-8501.

OPP