Protect Yourself from Fraud

This past week a call keeps showing up on my business phone twice a day from a 1-844 number and does not leave a message. The online search I did does not connect it to a business or organization and says it has been reported as spam and scam.

Protect your information and hang-up when someone calls saying they are your bank or the tax office (CRA). Just politely say, “Can I have your number to call back, as it’s not a great time right now?”

Then go to the official website of your bank or tax office to call the number on the website. By you taking this step of calling it gives you power of knowing who you are dealing with vs. blindly trusting the person calling you saying they need your personal information or a payment.

When you call, ask if they are trying to call you and what they are calling about and this will tell you if, in-fact the business or organization is trying to call.

BELIEVE ME this small piece of advice has saved not only me from a headache, but also a client from potentially lost money as I helped them navigate a fraudulent call from the CRA in the past. These fraudsters were using scare tactics to get money fast.

I have researched how to report this number that keeps calling me because it’s very annoying and hopefully others don’t fall prey to their scams. 

If you happen to also experience any fraudulent or even suspicious activity please report it to your country’s Anti-Fraud Centre.

Canada’s can be reached at www.antifraudcentre.ca, or by calling 1-888-495-8501.

Also, report any misleading or deceptive marketing practices to the Competition Bureau, if you are in Canada use the online complaint form or call 1-800-348-5358. 

Lastly, let your local police department know. 

XO$,

Shannon

P.S. Remember, protect your information as best as you can. 

1.     Shred all papers that has information such as: your name, address, banking details, etc. Also, delete documents on your computer. Once you delete the document, also go to the trash can to delete. 

2.     Be weary of giving out your social insurance number (SIN). If you need to provide it then avoid emailing it and any personal financial information. If you need to use email, then send parts of SIN from different email addresses or part of it via text.  Calling it in is safest if there is no secure email program being used. 

3.     Make sure passwords to your assets are not easy to break. Don’t use your birthday or children’s birthdays and addresses that you have resided at.

Photo by Tamara Bellis on Unsplash

“Protect your information and hang-up when someone calls saying they are your bank or the tax office.”