Online payment fraud like phishing is a growing trend, and Canadians are worried about it. According to a new survey conducted by Interac Corp., Canadians are more likely to worry about payment fraud scams like phishing and skimming than home break-ins, vehicle theft and plane crashes. And, almost one-quarter of Canadians say they have clicked on a link that resulted in a phishing scam, while 64 per cent say they have been tempted to click on a link they weren’t completely sure was safe.
“As payment fraud increasingly migrates online through scams like phishing, the continued work we do with our partners to detect and prevent fraudulent activity has never been more important,” said Rob Fodor, Chief Data Scientist and VP of Fraud, Interac Corp. “It’s also why we feel strongly about arming Canadians with the information they need to spot, avoid and report any phishing scams they may come across.”
While offline payment fraud is decreasing, one possible reason payment fraud is the top of mind as a worry for Canadians is the uncertainty they feel online. Across all age groups, two-thirds report having been tempted to click on a link they weren’t completely sure was safe. This uncertainty is putting Canadians at risk. Phishing is a scam where fraudsters attempt to acquire personal or financial information, such as passwords or card numbers, by masquerading as a trustworthy person or business through electronic communications. It is typically carried out using e-mail or an instant message, although phone contact has been used as well. In this case, the best offense is a good defense.
“When you’re online, don’t click on any links or open any attachments if you receive them from a sender you don’t recognize. And trust your gut. If you weren’t expecting the deposit or money request notification from someone you know, contact the sender through a different channel to check if it’s real,” said Fodor. “Rest assured there are security measures in place to ensure online and offline Interac transactions are secure, but Canadians are the first line of defense in keeping their personal information private.”
Read the full story over at CISION.
