Do...

• Sign all your credit cards as soon as you receive them, and never lend them to anyone.
• Shred all personal and financial information (e.g., bank statements, credit/ATM receipts, credit card offers, credit card bills, etc.) before you recycle them.
• Be careful about sharing or disclosing your personal information. Do not give personal information out over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you are the one who initiated the contact, and know the person or organization with whom you are dealing. Before you share any personal information, find out how it will be used and if it will be shared.
• Pay attention to billing cycles, or to a lack of mail being delivered to your address, it is possible the mail is being illicitly intercepted by a fraudster.
• Carefully check each of your monthly credit card and bank statements and look for unauthorized transactions such as purchases and withdrawals.
• Take advantage of technologies that enhance your security and privacy when you use the Internet, such as digital signatures, data encryption, and passwords.
• Minimize the amount of identification and credit cards that you carry in your wallet or purse.
• Report lost or stolen cars immediately
• Cancel all inactive credit card accounts. Even though you do not use them, those accounts could be used by thieves.
• Guard you mail. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at you local post office.
• Choose difficult passwords. Avoid using ones that may be easy to figure out such as your mother's maiden name, your birth date, or telephone number.
• Review your credit bureau report annually and immediately question any unknown credit inquiries or unauthorized accounts.
• Be aware of others nearby when entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN) at an ATM and shield the PIN entry with your body or your free hand.

Don't...

• Record or keep an ATM card PIN, password, or SIN in your wallet.
• Volunteer any personal information when you use your credit card.
• Give any personal information such as birth date or credit card information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet, unless you have initiated the call and know that the business you are dealing with is reputable.
• Give out you SIN, or any bank account details, unless you are dealing with the government, your employer, or your bank directly, and you initiated the contact. Your employer will need your SIN for income tax reporting purposes, and your bank account number for payroll purposes.
• Leave your mail lying around.
• Leave your receipts at ATMs, bank counters, or unattended gasoline pumps.
• Leave your purse or wallet unattended at work, restaurants, health clubs, in a shopping cart, or at social gatherings.
• Lend your credit cards to anyone, ever.

Reprinted with permission © VISA Canada Association