Protect Yourself from Scams: Expert Advice for Canadians
As digital fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, Canadians need reliable strategies to protect their personal information and finances. CTV's Patricia Boal recently interviewed tech analyst and journalist Carmi Levy, who shared invaluable insights on identifying and avoiding scams that target unsuspecting victims.
Recognizing Red Flags in Digital Communications
The first line of defense against scams involves developing a critical eye for suspicious communications. Levy emphasizes that scammers often create a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into making quick decisions without proper verification. Unexpected emails, text messages, or phone calls requesting personal information should immediately raise concerns.
Common warning signs include grammatical errors, unfamiliar sender addresses, and requests for sensitive data like Social Insurance Numbers or banking credentials. Legitimate organizations typically won't ask for this information through unsecured channels. Always verify the source independently before responding to any unexpected requests.
Implementing Multi-Layer Security Measures
Beyond awareness, practical security measures provide essential protection against potential scams. Levy recommends using strong, unique passwords for different accounts and enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible. This additional security layer can prevent unauthorized access even if login credentials are compromised.
Regularly monitoring financial statements and credit reports helps detect suspicious activity early. Many Canadians don't realize that prompt reporting of fraudulent transactions can limit financial liability and help authorities track scam operations. Setting up transaction alerts through your banking institution provides immediate notification of unusual activity.
Staying Informed About Evolving Scam Tactics
Scammers continuously adapt their methods to exploit new technologies and current events. Levy stresses the importance of staying informed about emerging scam trends through reliable sources. Recent years have seen increases in phishing scams, fake tech support calls, and romance fraud targeting Canadians of all ages.
Government agencies like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre provide updated information about active scams circulating across the country. Sharing this knowledge with family members, particularly older relatives who may be less familiar with digital threats, creates broader community protection against fraudulent schemes.
As Levy concludes, "Vigilance and verification are your strongest allies in the fight against scams. Taking a moment to question unexpected requests could save you from significant financial and emotional distress."
