Myths to destroy to protect themselves

Here are some myths and destroy to avoid being a victim of fraud.

• All companies, businesses and organizations are legitimate because they hold a permit from the Government and are monitored by the latter. This is not always true. Even if there are rules to follow to start and operate a business in the Canada, it is easy for a fraudster to pretend to hold the necessary permissions, whereas this is not the case. Some companies in good standing can still try to defraud you by acting dishonestly.
• All websites are legitimate. This is not always true. It is relatively easy and inexpensive to create a Web site. Scammers are able to reproduce without difficulty a legitimate Web site to fool you.
• It is possible to get rich quickly, but only a few people know how to do. This is not always true. Ask yourself the following question: If someone knew the secret of instant wealth, why would he share it with others?
• Fraudsters interested in large sums of money. This is not always true. Sometimes, fraudsters are many people and trying to extort small sums.
• Only money interest fraudsters. This is not always true. Some frauds are your personal information.

Golden rules to protect

Don’t forget these golden rules to frustrate scammers.

• If’re you an offer for which you must pay money or provide personal information, or to sign up as an individual, always ask for objective advice.
• There is no ploy guaranteed to get rich quickly – sometimes, only scammers are winning.
• Never accept an offer and never make a market on the spot. If you have a nice opportunity, take the time to ask objective advice before taking action and insist that given you this reflection period.
• Never give money or your personal information, and don’t sign anything until you have done your homework and checked the history of the company to which you’re dealing.
• Do not rely on the glowing testimonials: find concrete evidence of the success of a company.
• If you are interested in a website, access it directly rather than clicking on links provided in an email.
• Never send money or details about your credit card or your bank accounts to someone you don’t know and in whom you do not have confidence.
• If you notice a fraud, or if you’ve been victim of fraud, ask for help. Contact the anti-fraud Centre of Canada, the Competition Bureau or your local police service.

Fraudsters are manipulators who don’t lack of imagination. They know what to say to get what they want.

Tips to protect yourself

Protect your identity

• Don’t give your personal information only when absolutely necessary, and only when you trust the person to whom you are speaking.
• Destroy your personal information: do not throw them in the trash. You can cut or shred old bills or bank statements credit cards or banking.
• Treat your personal information as you treat your money: keep them safe from prying eyes.

Money matters

• Don’t send never money to someone you don’t know and in whom you have no confidence.
• You should never send money or pay a fee to claim a prize or a lottery win.
• A “job” in which you are asked to use your bank account to transfer funds may be a ploy to launder money. Money laundering is a serious crime.
• Do not transfer a refund or overpayment to someone you don’t know.

The approach in person

• If someone shows up at your door, ask for identification. You don’t have to let anyone into your home, and that person must leave if you ask him.
• Before you pay anything, if you are interested in the product that sells a direct seller, take the time to inform you about the company he represents and his offer.
• Contact the Office of competition, your bureau of information to local or provincial consumers or with the office of better business in your province or territory if you have questions about a solicitor who shows up at your door. You will find their details under the heading “assistance and report fraud.

On the phone

• If you receive a call from someone you don’t know, always ask for the name of that person and the company it represents. Check out this information by calling the company yourself.
• Do not give your personal information and your banking over the phone details, unless it’s you who call and the number is from a trustworthy source.
• It is more prudent to not answering text messages from numbers that you don’t recognize or not redial unknown. Beware especially of phone numbers that start with 1-900. You may have to pay fees higher than those in force and the invoice may be salty.

Offers by e-mail

• Never respond to a spam message, even to unsubscribe. Often, these responses allow fraudsters to “verify” your address. The best way to proceed is to remove the questionable e-mails without opening them.
• Clear the “display pane”, since simply check the email can convey a message attesting to the validity of your email address to the sender.
• Legitimate financial institutions and banks will ask you never your credit card information in an email, or click on a link to access your account.
• Never dial a phone number that comes from a spam and do not trust the details it contains.

On the Internet

• Install software that protects your computer from viruses and other unwanted programs, and make sure it is up-to-date. If you have any questions, consult a professional.
• If you want to access a Web site, use a bookmark that will direct you to the site or enter the address of the site in the browser window. Never follow a link provided in an email.
• Carefully check the addresses of Web sites. Fraudsters often set up fake Web sites whose address is similar to that of real sites.
• Beware of sites that offer a free download (music, content reserved for adults, games and movies). By downloading the content, you could also install malware without your knowledge.
• Do not click on the ads that appear on your screen. You could install malicious software on your computer.
• Never enter your personal information, your data related to your credit card on a Web site which you are in doubt of the legitimacy or banking.
• Never send your personal information, your banking data or with respect to your credit card by e-mail.
• Avoid using public computers (in libraries or Internet cafes) in order to make online purchases or banking transactions.
• When you use public computers, clear the history and cache of the computer when finished.
• Be careful when you use software that automatically fill online forms. It could provide fraudsters with easy access to your personal information and data related to your credit card.
• Choose passwords that are difficult to guess, which for example include letters and numbers. Also, you should change them regularly.
• When you purchase an item online, print copies of all transactions and pay only through a secure site. If you attend the auction on Internet sites, note the identification numbers and read all the safety information on the site.