Equifax Canada's Top-10 Tips to Protect Personal Data

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 2, 2015) - As part of Fraud Prevention Month activities in March, Equifax Canada offers the following helpful tips to assist people in safeguarding their personal data and identity:

1. Be Vigilant - If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is! Be cautious of emails and websites that promise incredible deals and monetary windfalls.
   
   
2. Check your credit report at least once every year, and report any discrepancies to the bureau immediately. Consider signing up for ongoing monitoring of your credit file for potentially fraudulent activity. Take steps to detect identity theft early, which helps minimize its impact.
   
   
3. Secure your computer - Start by activating your firewall. Firewalls block connections to unknown or bogus sites, and will keep out certain types of viruses and hackers. Also, use anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date.
   
   
4. Use strong passwords online - Make passwords more complicated by combining letters, numbers and mixing in special characters; change them regularly.
   
   
5. Secure your mobile devices - Be aware that your mobile device is vulnerable to viruses and hack attempts. Only download applications from reliable and trusted sources.
   
   
6. Do not give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact. Any credit card payments should be made on sites that are reputable and secure, with a "padlock" icon located at the top of your browser window.
   
   
7. Safeguard personal information in your home, especially if you are going on vacation, or having service work done there, employ outside help, or have a roommate.
   
   
8. Protect your mail. Bring in your mail daily. Immediately forward or re-route it if you move, or change your mailing address.
   
   
9. Shred all documents you are discarding, including pre-approved personal credit applications, insurance forms, bank cheques and statements, and other financial information. An identity thief can easily pick through your garbage or recycling bins.
   
   
10. Review all your transactions. Regularly review your financial statements to ensure that all transactions are authorized, and report any missing or fraudulent ones immediately.