During the month of July, we want to make you aware of the growing number of scams of all kinds, and the importance of developing a preventive attitude. Whether it’s through your day-to-day use, or during a merger, acquisition or dealer transition process, stop thinking that it’s only happening to others.

We are all, each and every one of us, responsible for the success of cyber attacks! “Is it our fault that Desjardins and Mackenzie were hacked? No, we agree.  But…

Identity theft

Information (last name, first name, e-mail, even SIN) that may have been hacked at Desjardins and Mackenzie is being resold for around $50 a piece on the Dark Web. What will the buyer do with this information? They’ll try to borrow money on your behalf or sign up for a credit card. What will the financial institutions do? They’ll check your credit file at Equifax or TransUnion. Have you blocked your account as recommended? Here’s the first one!

The lure of easy money

You’ve probably heard of the African princess who needs a thousand of your dollars to free up her bank accounts. In exchange, she promises you a staggering sum. Did you know that this scam still works, in its original form or in many variations? You’ve succumbed to the lure of easy money? That’s two!

Hacking into your e-mail address book is relatively easy if your protection isn’t up to date!

Emotionality

Scammers write to everyone on the address book saying they’ve been attacked, robbed, and injured. “I’m in the hospital, I need to pay $500 for an urgent check-up, I’ve had everything stolen,” says an acquaintance. You must send prepaid card numbers. Listen only to your heart… And that’s three!

Fear of taxes

You receive a letter from Revenue Canada. You can hardly open it, you’re trembling with fear. Revenue Canada never calls you first. They send you an e-mail saying there’s a message waiting for you in your “Clic” zone, or a letter asking you to contact them.

A little tip: when the phone rings, make sure you recognize the number on the caller ID. If you don’t recognize it, or if it’s an unfamiliar number, don’t speak first – say “Hello”, for example. Remain silent. Automatic messages are triggered by the sound of your voice. This will help you avoid almost all telephone scams. And that’s four!

Passwords

How many of you have passwords that are more than 20 years old? Yet there are password vaults that make life easier for you and harder for hackers. When quantum computers become commonplace, no password will be able to resist them. Other protection techniques will have to be found.

You are responsible for protecting your customers’ personal information. This starts with good management of passwords giving access to this data. And that’s five!

This article is not intended to make you feel guilty, of course. Our aim is to make you aware of your responsibility, whether active or passive, in the face of cyber-attacks.

If everyone blocked their Equifax and TransUnion accounts, there would be no more theft of personal information. At least, a lot less would.

Safety comes at a price!

You protect your home and its contents by purchasing high-quality locks. You even invest in an alarm system. You have your car chiselled…

Cybersecurity is everyone’s business, mine, and my team’s first. That’s why we only use virtual data room to obtain information sensitive to your professional practice. Never send confidential documents by e-mail.

Yikes!  But the banks always pay back!

Watch out, they’re tired of doing it! If they can prove negligence on your part, I’m not convinced they’ll pay.

In a future post, we’ll look at the thorny issue of e-mail security and how you can make it secure.