STOP ‘PHISHING’!

The OAPSB recently received a letter from Visa Canada Association’s Director of Risk Management and Security seeking the Association’s support to help educate consumers on a growing online scan known as “phishing”. One of the fastest growing online scams, phishing involves the use of fraudulent but authentic-looking, branded e-mails and websites to lure recipients into divulging personal information that can then be used to commit crimes like financial fraud.

The incidence of phishing is growing at an alarming rate, and according to a Visa Canada study, the majority of Canadians with an e-mail address and Internet access have never heard of phishing.

To address this problem, Visa, the RCMP and the Competition Bureau have come together to launch a phishing awareness campaign under the theme ‘Recognize it. Report it. Stop it.’ The consumer awareness campaign was launched at a visible media event on November 3 rd and the campaign includes online advertising, brochures, a phishing website, and posters.

The poster campaign encourages Canadians to ‘Recognize, Report, and Stop’ phishing scams. They have been provided to many police services with the hope that they will be distributed to local police stations to be posted in visible public areas for consumers to read and see. The ultimate goal is that through the collaboration of private industry, law enforcement and government, fraud can be stopped before it starts.

For more information, contact Gord Jamieson, Director, Risk Management and Security at Visa Canada Association at 416-367-8472.