Security

Smart Online Usage

Fraud - recognize it, report it, stop it.

Fraud affects thousands of Canadians each year. Unfortunately there are many types of fraud - credit card and debit card fraud, telemarketing scams, identity theft and online fraud are some examples.

While the Internet offers incredible convenience and selection, you should also be alert to the potential for fraud. The basic rules for smart shopping apply whether you're buying at the corner store or over the Web. You can shop and browse online with confidence by learning to recognize Internet fraud and taking a few simple precautions to protect yourself and your money.

What is online fraud?
How does it work?
What can I do to protect myself?
Where can I get help or more information?

What is online fraud?

Online fraud occurs when criminals try to obtain your personal information, such as credit card and account numbers, and/or get you to pay for items that are either non-existent or misrepresented to you.

How does it work?

A variety of techniques are used. Criminals often present themselves as valid merchants, trying to sell you products and entice you to pay for something that you'll never receive. "Phishing / spoofing" is another scam where the perpetrator sends out emails appearing to come from a legitimate company in an effort to get you to divulge personal information such as account numbers, passwords and credit card details. There are also hackers who try to gain access to your computer so they can steal your personal information.

What can I do to protect myself?

Know who you're dealing with

• Shop only at Internet merchants you know and trust. Do your homework on the company or individual to ensure they are legitimate. Reputable merchants will have easy-to-find information about themselves, their location and contact numbers.

• Don't be pushed or rushed into buying an item, especially by "limited supply" or "time limit" warnings. Use common sense - apply the same discretion online as you would when shopping for something in a mall.

• Make sure the merchant has a secure transaction system before providing credit card or other sensitive information. Don't trust a site just because it claims to be secure. You should always ensure that you are in a secure environment. Look for the secure transaction symbol on your screen before entering your credit card number. This will look like a padlock on the very bottom of your browser. Do not enter credit card information without seeing that symbol. Many merchants now use anti-fraud technology like Verified by Visa to protect your payment card information.

• Buying internationally involves more risk so be extra diligent when dealing with companies outside Canada. Different laws and standards apply, and it may be difficult to get local authorities to act on a complaint if something goes wrong.

Know what you're buying and paying for

• In the online world, you can't touch a product or see the salesperson so make sure there is detailed information on the website to allow you to make an informed decision. What are the terms of the contract? Is a warranty offered? What's the merchant's payment policy? How do they handle complaints and returns?

• Understand all the costs involved. Shipping and handling fees are usually additional. A reputable merchant will calculate and inform you of all applicable costs before you make a final decision to purchase an item. And don't forget to convert foreign currencies into Canadian dollars if the merchant doesn't do so for you.

• Beware of unsolicited emails offering cut-rate prices, get-rich-quick schemes and other seemingly incredible opportunities. If the offer sounds too good to be true, chances are it is.

• Be careful with online auctions. Before you bid for an item, understand as much as possible about how the auction works, what your obligations are and what the seller's obligations are. Verify who is selling the item. Better sites will keep records of sellers and customer satisfaction with them, and should also have dispute resolution mechanisms.

Read and keep records

• Always read the terms of the contract before buying.

• Always print and save the confirmation page when completing an online purchase, as well as contract terms. Make your own notes of all transactions and store them in a secure place.

• It's crucial that you always check your credit card and bank statements as soon as they arrive to ensure all charges are correct. Look for extra or missing transactions and report any discrepancies immediately.

Protect your information

• Read the policies of the websites you visit, especially the disclosures about a website's security and its privacy policy on collecting and using your personal information.

• Keep your personal information private. Do not disclose your address, telephone number, Social Insurance Number (SIN) or email address unless you know who is collecting the information, why they are collecting it and how they plan to use it. Never disclose your passwords. Neither TD Bank Financial Group nor any other legitimate business will ever ask you to disclose your password.

• Only provide personal information over the Internet when you know that the communication channel is secure.

• Clear the cache of your browser after visiting secure sites. This will ensure that nobody else can view any confidential information you may have transmitted.

• Change your password regularly, use hard-to-guess passwords and never share your password with anyone.

• If you think you've given credit card or banking information to a fraudulent site, immediately notify your credit card company and/or financial institution.

Protect your computer

• Ensure you have and always use the latest anti-virus software, the latest anti-adware software and a personal firewall. Operating system vendors such as Microsoft provide free software updates that include important security enhancements for your computer and browser. Also, anti-virus software needs frequent updates to guard against viruses. Ensure that you download these updates as soon as they are available.

• Avoid opening and reading unsolicited emails ("spam") from any Internet merchant, especially those containing attachments. Simply delete them. Unsolicited email can contain computer viruses. More tips on email safety.

• Never walk away from your computer without properly signing out from online banking.

Please review our Online Safety & Security page for more information.

Protect your children

• Scams often target children and teens, who don't always appreciate the real costs of some purchases or the implications of giving out personal information. Teach them to be aware of the risks of Internet fraud and how to protect themselves.

Where can I get help or more information?

Fraud - recognize it, report it, stop it. To learn more or to report a fraud, you can contact the following:

• Phonebusters: 1-888-495-8501, www.phonebusters.com
  Call Phonebusters to report fraud. They are a national anti-fraud call center operated by law enforcement agencies such as the RCMP. They collect complaints and forward them to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
• Competition Bureau: 1-800-348-5358, www.cb-bc.gc.ca
• RCMP: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/index-eng.htm
  The RCMP website highlights the latest consumer scams and how you can deal with them.
• Reporting Economic Crime Online: www.recol.ca
• Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus: www.ccbbb.ca