Protect your Identity from criminals and fraudsters

Only give out your personal details and information where it is absolutely necessary.
Make sure you trust the person you are speaking to or dealing with. Only give out your personal details and information where it is absolutely necessary. NEVER give out your PAC or passwords.

Secure your passwords.
Ensure your passwords are complex and something that only you can remember.  It's also a good idea to use symbols, numbers, and a variety of upper and lowercase letters.

Don’t just throw out personal information, destroy it.
Never throw out anything that an identity thief could deem valuable. Cut up or shred old bills, statements, or credit/debit cards. Be sure to shred sensitive information – anything that contains account numbers, banking information, or social insurance numbers.

Monitor your accounts.
It's a good idea to review your WFCU member account statement at least once a month to check for fraudulent transactions.

Monitor your credit report.
This helps to ensure accuracy and to identify potential fraud. Criminals will apply for loans, mortgages, and credit cards using stolen personal information.

Don't share your SIN.
Keep your Social Insurance Number (SIN) stored in a safe place; don’t carry in your wallet or purse.

Be careful with the internet.
Cybercriminals target personal information in a different few ways, one of which is phishing. Phishing is when a cybercriminal defrauds you of sensitive information by posing as a legitimate company that you trust.  Never click a link in an email that’s asking for personal information.  Also, never handle sensitive transactions like logging into online banking when using public Wi-Fi.

What if I Receive a Call from a Financial Institution Asking Questions to Verify my Identity?

There might be a time when your financial institution or credit card provider may contact you to verify suspicious activity. When this occurs, the company may ask about the last number of transactions that had been charged to your credit card. Never provide or confirm personal information to the individual who is calling from the financial institution unless the call is expected. A simple “yes those transactions are legitimate and are mine”, or “no those charges do not belong to me” will suffice. At that point, your provider can close the account and issue you a new card if necessary.