RCMP - http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/index-eng.htm
PHONEBUSTERS - http://www.phonebusters.com/english/recognizeit_identitythe.html

A rapidly growing form of Internet fraud is a practice known as "PHISHING." This fraud can lead to financial loss, identity theft and loss of confidence in any institution whose site has been "PHISHED."

How does it work?

Online thieves send out e-mails that appear to originate from legitimate companies. The e-mail messages direct victims to fraudulent look-alike websites, where the victim is asked to enter personal and financial information. Because the PHISH sites look entirely legitimate and the request appears to be coming from a trusted financial institution or credit card company, victims enter their credit card numbers, Social Insurance Numbers (SINs), bank account information and address, phone number and e-mail details. Any information entered into the PHISH site is captured by a crook that will steal the victim’s identity to acquire new credit cards, redirect mail and open bank accounts in the victim’s name.

Teach yourself, your friends and family "PHISH" sense

• Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information. A reputable financial institution or credit card company will not request personal or financial information in this manner. If you receive this type of e-mail or any other like it, simply delete the e-mail.
• Don't use web page links in an e-mail if you suspect the message, e-mail or website might not be authentic.
• Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that ask for personal financial information.
• Always ensure you're using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information through your browser.
• Check your bank, credit and debit card statements to ensure all transactions are legitimate.
  
  

DEBIT Card Security
While Interac is a world leader in safety and security, debit card fraud can occur.

Debit Card Skimming
Debit card skimming involves unauthorized copying of electronic data from debit cards and PINs through the use of hidden equipment such as pin-hole cameras and card reading devices. Once fraudsters have this information, they encode the stolen data onto a counterfeit card and use it to withdraw funds.
Keep your money safe by protecting your debit card and Personal Identification Number (PIN):
1. Your PIN is a key security feature -- never disclose it to anyone.
2. Use your hand or body to shield your PIN when using your debit card.
3. Only allow your card to be swiped once.
4. To report lost or stolen cards, please call 905-520-1146
If you become a victim of debit card fraud, you are protected by the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services, under which all proven victims of debit card fraud will not suffer any financial losses. Contact us immediately if you suspect you are the victim of debit card fraud. Please see the Interac website for more information on debit card security.


The Threat of Identity Theft
There's been lots of talk about online fraud, in particular “phishing” and the use of “spyware”.

Email fraud or Phishing
Phishing occurs when a criminal sends an email falsely claiming to be a legitimate organization in an attempt to fool a user into submitting personal, financial or password data, usually through a direct link to a “spoofed website” (a replica of the legitimate one). (The word "phishing" is a play on fishing - the criminal hopes that some will be tempted to take the bait.)
Phished sites may appear to have the correct web address or URL but when the link is clicked, the user will be redirected to the spoofed site. To be safe, always use your favourites or type the address of the website you want into your browser.

Spyware
Spyware is a general term used for software that collects personal information – including capturing your key strokes – or changes the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent when you install other software like a music or video file sharing program.

Identity Theft
Often, the intent behind phishing and keystroke capture is identity theft. Criminals want your information to commit fraud: taking over your credit card account, opening up new credit card accounts, accessing your bank accounts or taking loans out in your name.

Download Identity tips sheet provided by the Hamilton Police Service

Protect Yourself
Most identity theft is self-detected. One way to protect yourself is to check your credit rating regularly to ensure no credit cards or loans have been taken out in your name that you're unaware of. See our TransUnion page to order your credit rating. For more on identity theft, how to protect yourself and how to report it, see the PhoneBusters and the Canadian government's Consumer Measures Committee (CMC) websites. The CMC 's Identity Theft Statement can be completed by victims of identity theft and used by financial institutions, credit card issuers and other organizations to investigate claims of identity theft.