Banks take fraud very seriously and have highly sophisticated security systems and teams of experts to protect you from financial fraud. As a banking customer, there are also simple steps you can take to recognize cyber crime and protect your personal information and your money. Educating yourself, your family and your employees about cyber safety can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated and the CBA has developed a learning path to help.

To get started, read the articles in the Cyber security & fraud prevention 101 section below and then move on to additional sections to familiarize yourself with other types of fraud and more sophisticated online cyber crimes affecting Canadians. There are also primers just for parents and kids, as well as older adults. We encourage you to also sign up for the CBA’s free fraud prevention email newsletter to stay ahead of emerging frauds and scams.

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This graphic describes, using arrows and section titles, a content path to take to learn about cyber security. We recommend visitors start with the series of articles listed below in in the section Cyber Security & fraud prevention 101.

Next, to learn more about protecting yourself online, read the articles in the Phishing 101 section and the Cyber security & fraud prevention 102 section.

Next, to learn more about types of scams, read the articles in the Common scams section and the Emerging scams section.

Next, if you are a senior, read the articles in the Safety for seniors section.

If you are a parent, read the articles in the Safety for kids and teens section.

If you are an SME owner or manager, read the articles in the Cyber security and fraud prevention for SMEs section.

Finally, read the articles in the Learning more about how fraudsters and cyber criminals target you section.


 

Cyber security & fraud prevention 101

Not sure where to start your cyber security and fraud prevention education journey? These primers on the most common types frauds and scams can help you learn how to protect yourself and your money with a few simple steps.

woman holding mobile phone with article title text staying safe online - a cyber hygiene primer man sitting on the floor with a laptop on his lap and holding a credit card with the article title text 4 simple steps to protect yourself online

         



Phishing 101

Phishing scams are attempts by criminals to trick you into revealing your personal information by sending convincing-looking emails that appear to be from a known contact or a legitimate company. Learn the basics on how to spot a phishing scam, see examples of phishing emails about how to avoid phone-related phishing attempts.

woman sitting at a desk behind a laptop with the article title text how to spot a phishing scam a white at symbol on a fishing hook with the article title text does this email look phishy? check out examples of the latest scam emails

         



Cyber security & fraud prevention 102

Delve into more information about how to protect yourself from more sophisticated scams perpetuated through ransomware and malware, how to manage your online identity and work safely from home.

Don’t forget to download a copy of the CBA’s Cyber Security Toolkit for a completely package on how to protect yourself from online threats.

a kitchen with icons hovering over showing the devices connected to wifi with the article title text learn about safety and the internet of things - 3 steps to take now a white maze that looks like a fingerprint with the article title text online identity theft can happen to anybody - learn how to protect yourself

         



Common scams

From shopping fraud to romance scams, these common scams have been around for a while with variations that try to trick you into falling for the latest version. Go in depth with tips on how to spot and avoid these online threats.

laptop screen with a caution sign on it and the article title text making more purchases online? Beware of fake websites and phony retailer apps wifi symbol with the article title text wifi hotspot scam

         



Emerging scams

Cyber criminals are constantly coming up with new ways to trick you into falling for scams. They often take advantage of our anxiety and curiosity by drawing from major emergencies such as pandemics, seasonal events like the income tax filing deadline or even the holidays. Learn more about emerging scams and how to spot them online.

woman on the street wearing a mask and holding a cell phone with the article title text pandemic scams - how to spot email and phone call fraud arising from covid-19 mobile phone with a caution sign and a conversation box floating above it with the article title text hot to spot government benefits scams

         



Safety for seniors

Anyone can be a victim of a fraud, but some scams are targeted specifically at older adults. Learning about the appropriate use of joint bank accounts and power of attorney documents can also better protect you against financial abuse and fraud.

senior couple sitting on a couch with the article title text how seniors can avoid the grandparent scam senior couple dancing with the article title text joint accounts: appropriate use of joint accounts

         



Safety for kids and teens

Are you a parent or guardian? Learn how to keep kids safe online and how young adults can avoid everyday scams that target them.

three kids laying on a couch, each one holding a device with the article title text teach your kids how to avoid online scams woman sitting behind a laptop in a cafe wearing headphones with the article title text how to spot the roommate scam



Cyber security & fraud prevention for SMEs

Are you a small or medium business owner or manager? Be aware of the common ways cyber criminals are targeting your business and your employees and then download a copy of the CBA’s Small Business Cyber Security Toolkit.

Remember to share this information with your employees to increase the resiliency of your business.

woman behind a laptop on the phone with dressmaker stands behind her and the article title text protecting your small business from cyber threats with the CBA's cyber security toolkit woman looking concerned while sitting at a computer with the article title text learn how you and your employees can spot business email compromise (BEC) fraud

         



Learning more about how fraudsters and cyber criminals target you

Now that you know about common scams, emerging threats, and ways to protect yourself online, get an in‑depth perspective on the tactics and methods that cyber criminals use to try to trick you into falling for their scams.

man looking at cell phone while drinking from a coffee cup with the article title text three ways to spot the social engineering tactics used by cyber criminals computer login screen with the article title text what is credential stuffing and are you at putting yourself at risk?

Cyber security & fraud prevention learning guide credit cards,cyber security,debit card,email,fraud,identity theft,joint accounts,malware,passwords,phishing,PINs,Powers of Attorney,privacy,retirement,safety,scams,seniors

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