• Keep your bank card in a safe place. Never lend it to anyone.

• Protect your PIN. Memorize it. Don’t write it down or share it with anyone. Reputable companies will not ask you for your PIN.

• Don’t choose a PIN that is obvious such as your birth date or phone number.

• When using your bank card, use your hand or body as a shield so that no one can see you enter your PIN.

• After using the ATM machine, make sure you take your receipt and leave nothing behind.

• Never cash personal cheques made out to strangers.

• Keep track of your mail and know which bills and statements you should be receiving.

• Cut down on the number of bank cards and credit cards you carry with you.

• Never use your social insurance number (SIN), birth certificate, or passport unless you absolutely need to. Keep these in a safe place. Use them only when necessary such as when you are filling in your income tax, applying for a job, and/or opening an account at a financial institution.

• Shred all personal information before throwing it in the garbage or recycle bin. This includes credit card applications you receive in the mail.

• Never give personal information over the phone, in an e-mail, on a website, or by mail unless you know the company and you made the first contact.

• Avoid mail or telephone promotions or surveys offering instant prizes or awards. These may be used to get your personal information, including credit card numbers.

• Keep your computer contents safe by using a password, firewall program, and virus protection.

• Never enter you personal or financial information on a website unless you see the following:
 

o A padlock or padlock and keys on the bottom right hand corner of the screen; and
 

o An address that begins with https, not just http.
 

• Watch out for e-mails that appear to be from your bank, requesting your personal information (phishing). Your bank would not request your information in this way. These e-mails may take you to a website that is made to look like your bank’s website (spoofing).

• Obtain a copy of your credit history at least once a year.