Protecting your financial information in the event of a data breach

Criminals may try to steal your personal and financial information by hacking into databases owned by financial institutions or companies and services you may deal with. Criminals may try to use the information to access your accounts and steal your money. They could even try to borrow money in your name.

If your financial institution or a company or service you deal with has recently been hacked, you may be at risk.

• Change your passwords immediately
• Review your bank account and credit card statements on a regular basis and make sure there are no unauthorized transactions
• Report any unauthorized transactions immediately
• Order and review your credit report immediately. If there are accounts that you don’t recognize, it could mean that someone has applied for a credit card, line of credit, mortgage or other loan under your name

If you become a victim of fraud

• Contact your financial institution and any other companies where your account has been compromised
• Contact Canada’s two credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion and ask them to place a fraud alert on your credit report file to tell lenders to contact you and confirm your identity before they approve any applications for credit
• File a report with your local police
• Notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Identify and protect yourself from different types of fraud

• Online fraud
• Identity fraud
• Credit card fraud
• Debit card fraud
• Real estate fraud

Related links

• Credit reports and scores
• Report Fraud
• Identity Theft and Identity Fraud Victim Assistance Guide