In an effort to mark Cyber Security Awareness Month this October, the
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) issued a warning for consumers reminding them to safeguard their identity to prevent insurance fraud.
“If your personal information is stolen, criminals can use it in elaborate schemes, including insurance fraud,” warned IBC vice-president of Federal Affairs Craig Stewart. “Hackers and criminals can use the internet to access your bank accounts, secure new credit cards, make purchases and pursue other criminal activities. Follow IBC’s cyber safety tips to help keep you and your family safe from online crime.”
The IBC has listed several tips that consumers should take to heart:
- Don’t share your personal information online.
Never give personal information over email or phone to someone who has contacted you to ask for it, without authenticating their identity.
- Guard your financial information.
If you shop, do insurance transactions or banking online, make sure you aren’t saving personal financial information, such as credit card numbers, that someone could easily take.
- Change your login and your passwords regularly.
Make your passwords hard to decipher by using numbers and characters in addition to letters.
- Before opening a website or email, ensure the URL is trustworthy.
Criminals often use phishing, which uses an official-looking email to direct you to a website that looks legitimate, to steal personal information.
- Install and regularly update security software.
- Check financial statements regularly and look for any unusual activity.
- Be social media savvy.
Set your social media profiles to a private setting and be careful what you post online.
- Make sure your home Wi-Fi network is protected.
When using public “hot spots,” recognize that the data you share is vulnerable and do not conduct financial transactions, such as obtaining automobile or home insurance, on these networks.
- Only download programs from reputable websites.
- Take the time to report the crime; call 1-877-IBC-TIPS.
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