external-link
Skip to content
  • Français
    • Getting startedLearn about the stock market, investment types, and how to get started.
    • Working with an advisorA financial advisor can help you choose investments and manage your portfolio.
    • Making a planHaving a plan can make it easier to make the right investing decisions for you.
    • Tracking your progressLearn how to track your investing progress and see how you're doing.
    • Understanding riskHaving a plan can make it easier to make the right investing decisions for you.
    • Rules and regulationsRegulators protect investors in Canada by setting and enforcing securities rules.
    • Psychology of InvestingMake better financial decisions by learning about behavioural insights.
    • Community outreachOSC in the Community takes the OSC's mandate from Bay Street to Main Street.
    • AnnuitiesAnnuities are an investment that can generate a steady income in retirement.
    • BondsBonds are an investment that generate interest after a fixed period of time.
    • Crypto assetsCrypto assets are digital investments with different opportunities and risks.
    • ESG investingESG investing allows you to choose investments that align with your priorities.
    • ETFs (exchange-traded funds)These funds hold a collection of investments and are traded on a stock exchange.
    • GICs (Guaranteed investment certificates)GICs guarantee a specific rate of return over a short period of time.
    • Mutual funds & segregated fundsMutual funds pool multiple investments into a fund owned by many investors.
    • Pension & savings plansDifferent kinds of workplace pension plans provide retirement income.
    • Real estateBuying a home is a way to invest your money and diversify your portfolio.
    • StocksStocks give you equity in a company, and are traded on a stock exchange.
    • More complex investmentsComplex investments have potential for high reward, but also higher risk.
    • RDSPsPeople with disabilities can save with a Registered Disability Savings Plan
    • RESPsSave for your child's education with a Registered Education Savings Plan.
    • RRIFsYou open a Registered Retirement Income Fund with funds from your RRSP.
    • RRSPsA Registered Retirement Savings Plan grows your savings tax free until you retire.
    • TFSAsA Tax-Free Savings Account helps you save for any goal, tax free.
    • Bank accountsChequing and savings accounts can help you manage your short-term needs.
    • BudgetingA budget can help you manage your spending, saving, and plan for the unexpected.
    • Life eventsLearn about how your financial needs may change at different stages of life.
    • Managing debtDebt shouldn't get in the way of your saving and investing. Learn how to manage it.
    • Personal insurancePersonal insurance coverage can help protect you and your loved ones.
    • RetirementPlanning for retirement helps you determine how much to save and where.
    • Running a small businessImprove your financial knowledge for your business and your personal life.
    • Saving moneyKeep your financial goals on track by saving some money each month.
    • Understanding taxLearn more about how tax filing and tax deductions work.
    • Wills and estate planningPreparing a will and estate plan ensure your final wishes are taken care of.
    • Types of fraudLearn how to spot frauds and scams and what they look like.
    • Making a complaintKnow your options for making a complaint.
    • Reporting fraudIf you suspect you've been a victim of fraud, report it immediately.
    • Checking registrationAlways check the registration of anyone trying to give advice or sell investments.
    • Investor warnings and alerts
    • CalculatorsPractice calculating compound interest, savings, debt consolidation, and more.
    • Quizzes and toolsCheck your knowledge of scams, behavioural biases, and other financial tools.
    • WorksheetsTry our downloadable tools to help you plan and budget.
    • VideosOur videos show you the basics of investment types, frauds to watch for, and more.
    • Interactive investing charts
    • Research & reportsDelve into our research on Canadians' needs and habits in finances and investing.
    • Investing introductionVisit our multi-lingual site for information for those new to investing or new to Canada, or both.
    • Investor NewsStay informed about the latest investor initiatives, educational resources, topical issues, key dates, and investor warnings/alerts from the Ontario Securities Commission’s Investor Office.
    • Investing questionsOur Investing questions site offers clear, unbiased answers to your questions on investing, from a trusted source.
    • Investing fundamentalsThis site brings you on a visual journey of key investing concepts. No matter your age, income or goals, these eight fundamentals can help you make smarter investing decisions.
    • Investor officeVisit the Investor Office website to learn more about how we lead investor-focussed education and outreach, research, and policy initiatives at the Ontario Securities Commission.
    • Investment reportingThis site guides you through the steps to learn how your investments are doing. Then you'll know when to make changes in order to meet your goals.
    • Interviews
  • Investing academy

GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca

Français
When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to go to the desired page. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures.

Home / Fraud / Types of fraud / Checklist: Protecting your financial information

Fraud

Checklist: Protecting your financial information

2 min read

Share

  • Share to Twitter
  • Share to Facebook
  • Share to LinkedIn
  • Share to Reddit
  • Share via Email

It’s important to protect your financial information. In particular, it can help you to avoid identity theft and financial fraud.

Regularly review this checklist.

Keeping your personal information safe

 âś“Keep your personal identity information private, including your social insurance number, date of birth, driver’s license number, etc. Only carry the identity documents you need in your wallet.
 âś“Store personal documents in a secure place.
✓Never reply to an email or phone call asking you to provide personal information.

Protecting your personal information online

 âś“Frequently clear your logins, passwords and browser history, especially when using a public computer or network.
 âś“Keep your anti-virus software up to date and regularly change your passwords.
✓Set better passwords using a combination of letters, characters and numbers. Or, use a password manager that will generate strong passwords that are securely encrypted.
✓Use secure and trusted websites. Learn to spot fake websites and verify legitimate ones.
✓Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA uses more than one verification factor to authenticate the user before you can use an application, online accountAccount An agreement you make with a financial institution to handle your money. You can set…+ read full definition, or a VPN. For example, having a secure code sent to your cellphone that you need to enter into your website before you can use it can help protect you.

Online shopping is increasingly popular: 82% of Canadians shopped online in 2020, compared to 73% in 2018. (Statistics Canada)

Protecting your financial information

 âś“Review your bank and credit card statements, at least monthly, to look for mistakes or unauthorized transactions. Report any issues to your financial institution right away.
 âś“Shred documents you don’t need, such as receipts, bank statements, ATM receipts, cheque stubs, or credit card statements.
âś“Check your credit reportCredit report A detailed report that shows your borrowing history, including any bankruptcies. Also includes a list…+ read full definition and score annually. Report lost or stolen identification, debit cards or credit cards to your financial institution and Canada’s credit ratingCredit rating A way to score a person or company’s ability to repay money that it borrows…+ read full definition agencies immediately.

Taking these steps more frequently means you’ll build the habit and it will feel easier the more often you do it. A little bit of caution can add to your security and peace of mind.

Remember, report identity theft or any other type of personal financial fraud to police as soon as you are aware of it.

If you think that you may be a victim of investmentInvestment An item of value you buy to get income or to grow in value.+ read full definition fraud in Ontario, contact the Ontario Securities CommissionOntario Securities Commission An independent Crown corporation that is responsible for regulating the capital markets in Ontario. Its…+ read full definition (OSCOSC See Ontario Securities Commission.+ read full definition) at 1-877-785-1555.

Last updated November 27, 2023

Articles in this section

Articles read
4 signs of investment fraud 2 min read
How a fraudster might approach you 3 min read
8 common investment scams 6 min read
4 ways to avoid investment scams 1 min read
Checklist: Protecting your financial information 2 min read
Can you spot the scams? 1 min read
8 red flags of crypto fraud 1 min read
Romance scams 3 min read
Recovery room scams 3 min read
AI voice cloning scams 4 min read
Affinity fraud 3 min read
Identity theft 3 min read
Grandparent scams and how to avoid them 3 min read
7 signs of financial elder abuse 2 min read
Be cautious with celebrity endorsements 3 min read
Boiler room scams 3 min read
Pump and dump scams 3 min read
Spotting fakes and verifying legitimate websites 2 min read
Fraudster trick - Email spam attack 2 min read
Red flags of crypto fraud 2 min read
Phishing scams 5 min read
Fraud prevention month 1 min read

Post navigation

Back To:
Previous: 4 ways to avoid investment scams
1 min read
Up Next:
Next: Can you spot the scams?
1 min read

Sign up for Investor News

Stay informed about the latest investor initiatives, educational resources and investor warnings and alerts.

Past issues
  • November 30, 2023
  • November 7, 2023
  • October 24, 2023

Connect with us

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Investor News
  • Media
  • Glossary
  • OSC in the community
  • OSC Website
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility policy

Brought to you by the OSC Investor Office

This website is provided for informational purposes only and is not a source of official OSC policy or a substitute for legal or financial advice. We recommend that you consult with a qualified professional advisor before acting on any information appearing on this website. For details, please see our full Terms of Use and Privacy policy

© Ontario Securities Commission 2023

Go back to top