Internet Fraud

The Internet is arguably the greatest tool for the advancement of communication and commerce in the last 500 years. The Internet has not only made it easier to purchase goods and services, it has also made buying and selling fun and convenient as you can conduct transactions from the comfort of your own home. However, the growth of the Internet is a licence to print money for scam artists who use the web for fraudulent activities. Internet fraud comes in many forms: credit/debit card fraud, online auction fraud, and online banking fraud are just a few of the common targets.

Scam artists send realistic and recognizable emails from familiar organizations such as financial institution and e commerce websites hoping that you will provide your personal information. Albertans should view their personal information as a commodity - a valuable commodity that con artists would like to exploit.

What you can do to protect yourself:

• Be cautious when you go on the Internet. If an offer sounds too good to be true it probably is.
• Keep your online bank password a secret and change it often.

• Look for the “lock icon” in your browser. This means that you are conducting a secure transaction.
• Be wary of c-mails requesting your personal information.
• Use good anti-virus, anti-spy ware, and anti-spam software. Use a firewall.
• Read the privacy policy of websites you visit to see what kind of information they collect about you.

These tips may not Protect you from all the scams and fraudsters out there, but they may help in reducing the risk of you becoming a victim.

To lean more about protecting yourself and dealing with fraud, additional tips are available at:

Heads-Up Fraud Prevention Association: www.heads-up.ca

Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security: www.solgps.gov.ab.ca

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta: www.oipc.ab.ca