Fraud strikes retirees

Criminals can exploit your trust or willingness to help others through many different types of fraud such as identity theft, phishing and credit or debit card fraud.

Criminals can be very convincing

They use intimidation and manipulation to get you to give out confidential information. They want personal information such as your social insurance number, birth dates, PIN numbers or credit card numbers. Once they have that, they can take money from your accounts, purchase items on your credit cards or take cash advances.

How fraud happens

Scams aren't limited to online – by email or through social networking sites; they also happen on the phone or even in person. Some scams are sophisticated. Messages appear to come from legitimate professional sources such as your bank or charity.

Protect yourself

• Remain vigilant.
• Take time to assess unexpected emails. Carefully check the sender's email address and any URLs, and check the authenticity of the information with an official source. Companies are aware of the dangers of fraud and are happy to confirm any communication you receive from them.
• Be aware that some hackers will steal all your email contacts to send messages to unsuspecting family or friends using your name.

Email tips

If you receive an unexpected message (even it appears to be from someone you know), or you get an offer that seems too good to be true:

• Do not open any attachments.
• Do not click on any links.
• Do not reply.
• Do not send any money.
• Do not send identification documents – not even copies.
• Do not give details of your bank accounts or payment cards.
• Report the message as spam through your internet supplier then delete it.

Protect your devices

• Be sure to protect your computer and other devices by setting spam filters to the highest level, and installing firewalls and anti-virus software – and keeping them up-to-date.

Phone calls

• Likewise, if you receive a phone call you don't feel comfortable with, do not give any information no matter how friendly or convincing the caller is. And don't worry that you're being rude by ending the conversation.

Other ways to protect your personal and financial information

• Never share personal information over the phone, email or text.
• Shred or destroy financial documents before recycling them.
• Report your lost or stolen credit and debit cards, driver's license, social insurance card, passport, etc., immediately.
• Review your financial statements regularly to make sure all is well.
• Never share your PIN number or password with anyone.

If you are a victim, take action right away

• Report fraud immediately to your financial institution and your advisor.
• Contact your local police force.
• Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (Toll Free 1-888-495-8501 or http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/reportincident-signalerincident/index-eng.htm Link will open in a new window or tab)
• Contact credit reporting agencies to let them know what's happened. (Equifax 1-800-465-7166 or www.equifax.ca Link will open in a new window or tab; TransUnion 1-800-663-9980 or www.transunion.ca Link will open in a new window or tab.)

For help with identifying and preventing fraud, check out

• The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's fraud page Link will open in a new window or tab and tip sheets. Link will open in a new window or tab
• The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre; Link will open in a new window or tab and
• The Canada Revenue Agency. Link will open in a new window or tab