By : Michel A. Chevrier.

The municipality of Saint-Étienne-de-Bolton recently offered its residents a “Fraud Prevention” training session led by the Sureté du Québec. Here is a summary:

Prevention Tips

• Never disclose your personal information or banking details in response to unsolicited contact, regardless of the method of communication (e.g., email, text message, phone call, or social media).
• Check the security and privacy settings on all your accounts, devices, and connections; make sure your antivirus software is up to date on all your devices.
• Only open emails, messages, and files if they come from a trusted source.
• Never assume that the caller’s name or the phone number displayed on your caller ID is accurate.
• If you’re making online transactions, make sure the site is secure. The web address will start with “https://,” and an icon showing a closed padlock or a key will appear next to the address bar in your browser. Check the URL for typos or suspicious variations. Look for legal notices, terms and conditions, and reliable customer reviews on reputable platforms. If a site lacks this information or offers deals that seem too good to be true, be wary.
• Keep in mind that public wireless networks (Wi-Fi) are not secure. To minimize the risks, do not allow your device to connect to them automatically.
• When you need to make online transactions, try to meet in person before making a payment.
• Never send money to someone you only know online. Refuse any transactions made on behalf of a third party.
• Be skeptical when you receive unsolicited investment offers that seem “too good to be true.”