MCAP is committed to protecting your privacy and securing your personal information. At MCAP, we have comprehensive security controls to protect against unauthorized use, duplication, loss, and theft of your personal information. We meet, or exceed, all the privacy standards established by federal, provincial and industry authorities, when dealing with your personal information. For more information on how we protect your personal information please visit www.mcap.com/Privacy.
We’ve compiled some tips below to help you reduce your risk of identity theft by learning how to protect your personal information and spot identity thieves. Financial hackers use a variety of tactics to try and steal personal and financial information. Here are some tips we recommend to protect your personal information:
Beware of Phishing Scams
Phishing is when identity thieves try to obtain your personal or financial information by pretending to be a trusted source. Your bank or financial institution will never ask you to send any financial or confidential information via email. If you are unsure, don’t reply back. Contact your financial institution directly.
Only Provide Information in Calls You Have Initiated
Be cautious if you receive a call from someone asking for personal information to access your account. Only provide information to your bank or financial institution in the phone calls you have initiated through your bank’s listed phone number.
Use Secure Websites for Online Transactions
Check the website before logging onto your financial institution’s website; make sure it starts with “https” rather than “http”. Secure portals add a layer of security to protect your personal information and are considered the gold standard of transacting with your financial institution.
Routinely Change Your Passwords
It’s important to change your passwords every 3 months. Use strong passwords that contain a mixture of cases, numbers and special characters. Don’t forget to use a different password for each of your accounts. When doing online banking, make sure you’re on a secure connection and not using public Wi-Fi. Most importantly, don’t write them down!
Protect Your Devices with a PIN (Personal Identification Number)
In the case of loss or displacement of your device, make sure tablets and smart phones are protected with PINs. Make sure to keep your devices updated with the latest anti-virus, anti-spam and firewall programs.
Routinely Check Your Credit Report
Review your credit report for suspicious activity at least once per year.
Shred Documents with Personal Information
Make sure you shred any documents containing personal information before you dispose of them. This includes, but is not limited to, credit applications, insurance forms, and banking or credit card statements.
Additional Resources
Government of Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act