Many Cdns working to protect themselves from fraud: poll
Posted March 3, 2014 7:45 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – It seems a lot of Canadians are heeding experts’ advice on how to prevent becoming a victim of fraud. While a new poll reveals that bit of good news, there is also room for improvement.
It’s Fraud Prevention Month and Nicholas Cheung with Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada says people need to remain vigilant, adding one in ten Canadians think it’s okay to share their social insurance number as identification.
“And only one in four actually bother to check their credit reports,” he notes.
The survey found 60 per cent of respondents say they always check to confirm shopping websites are encrypted. Just over half say they tell their bank or credit card company when they travel abroad.
“They are shredding their banking and credit card statements,” explains Cheung.
“A large number of them said that they’re very uncomfortable with giving out their personal or financial information through email or on the phone. Sixty per cent said that they always cover their keypad when entering their PINs at a retailer or bank machine.”
Almost a third report being victims of some kind of financial fraud, while more than 40 per cent know someone who has been a victim of fraud.
Credit and debit card fraud were the most common types of fraud reported by victims. Next was identity theft, followed by email and online fraud and fraudulent investment schemes.
“Don’t give out your information if you don’t have to and when you do, only give out what’s necessary for whatever transaction you’re talking about, then shred the information like your banking and credit card statements,” warns Cheung.
Just over 1,000 Canadians were polled last month.
