Protect your personal information

Your online footprint

According to a Microsoft study, 57% of Canadian adults do not effectively protect their personal online data. Making your personal information public is risky.

To better understand how scammers can steal your identity with your personal online information, Desjardins calls on you to do a simple test:

1. Go to the Google website.
2. Enter your name in quotes (e.g. "Alphonse Desjardins").
3. Try to rebuild your identity with the information you find.
4. Can you create a realistic picture of your life and get personal and professional information that could allow a scammer to impersonate you?
5. Limit access to your information.

By doing so, you are protecting yourself against identity theft, fraud, and all types of scams.

Personal and confidential information to protect:

• Date of birth
• Address
• Your mother's maiden name
• Passport information
• Numbers:
  • credit card
  • social insurance
  • financial institution accounts
  • driver's licence

Avoid disclosing personal information:

• on social networks
• in businesses
• when entering a contest

Ask questions

When you are asked to disclose personal information, ask questions to get a clear understanding of the needs of the person requesting your information. You have the right to do so.

• Why do you need this information?
• Can I just show you my pieces of identification? Must you keep them?
• How will my information be protected?

When you are about to disclose information voluntarily on social networks, for example, ask yourself if you need to disclose this information. It is your responsibility.

If you suspect that you are a victim of identity theft, see Report fraud.

Source: What does your online image project about you? (GCNW Group/Microsoft Canada)