Fraud prevention
We take steps every day to make sure you and your financial information remain secure. But there are some ways we can work together to keep you safe and protect against fraud.
Identity theft
At Scotiabank, our goal is to ensure that your information remains as secure as possible from fraudsters and that you remain protected against identity theft.
What is identity theft?
Identity theft is the use of someone's personal information without their knowledge or consent to commit a crime, such as fraud or theft. Identity theft can start whenever a fraudster gets access to someone else's information, and it’s one of the fastest growing cyber-crimes in Canada.
Identity theft: the risks in daily life
-
7 am – 8 am
Prepare garbage for pickup
Always be mindful of the information you’re throwing away.
Tear up or shred your bank and credit card statements or any other sensitive financial documents.
Make sure to cut up old credit or debit cards and dispose of them in multiple garbage bags. Consider signing up for paperless statements/billing.
-
8 am – 9 am
Use a phone on a crowded bus
Be mindful of using your phone, tablet, or mobile device while you’re in a crowded place.
Someone nearby could be looking over your shoulder and gathering information that they can use to steal your identity.
-
9 am – 10 am
Use a library computer to do some banking
It is strongly recommended not to use public computers for bank-related activities. If you can, wait until it’s possible to access your banking from a secure location.
If you must use a public computer, be sure to wipe the history and data from any browser you use in a public place to prevent fraudsters from stealing your information.
For more information on how to wipe a browser, see the guides below for the most common browsers:
-
10 am – 11 am
Carelessly post on social media
Sharing too much of your personal information online can put you at risk for identity theft. Information such as your full name, date of birth, hometown, parents’ names, schools, and workplaces can all be used to steal your identity.
You should also limit who can see your posts and photos on social media, hide your personal information, and never accept friend requests from people you don’t know.
-
11 am – 12 pm
Use your debit card to pay for lunch
Always be careful to shield the PIN pad from others when paying for your purchases or using an ABM.
Someone could be watching over your shoulder or even filming your movements as you enter your PIN.
-
2 pm – 3 pm
Select a link to claim a prize
Always be wary of links offering big prizes or free giveaways, especially when you have no recollection of entering the contest. These scam emails or text messages try to create a sense of excitement that lures the recipient into revealing sensitive information that can be used for identity theft.
Offers for prizes or free giveaway can also come in the form of a phone scam (known as vishing) or through the mail.
-
6 pm – 7 pm
Receive a suspicious call
If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to represent a government or law enforcement agency requesting money or sensitive information, beware. These are common scams that create a false sense of urgency and try to force recipients into divulging sensitive information that can be used for identity theft or unintentionally sending money to a fraudster.
Stay vigilant!
Taking the steps to prevent identity theft is great for your peace of mind and allows you to focus on what matters.
Security banking features
Take Action!
Select the button below if you’ve taken action to improve your security by setting up both eStatements and InfoAlerts.
Yes, I haveHelpful tips
Here are some key points to remember about keeping your information safe from fraud.
Report an incident or suspicious activity