With fraud on the rise, it is more important than ever to keep your finances safe. From phone and email impersonation scams to fake investment opportunities, fraudsters are always finding new ways to access personal and financial information. Staying informed and vigilant is important to keeping your finances safe.  

Protect your Personal and Banking Information 

Never share your personal information such as your SIN, banking details, date of birth, debit or credit card, address, security question answers, or passwords over the phone, text, or email. Remember, someone from Provincial Credit Union or other legitimate companies will not contact you and ask for your personal and financial information. 

Be Wary of Links 

Fraudsters use fake links by sending you a text or email that looks like it is from a well-known business, bank, or government agency. They may ask you to click on the link to verify your account. Review links closely for any misspelled words, poor grammar, and mismatch between link text and URL. Do not click links from unknown or suspicious sources. Never give out your personal information from an unsolicited link or contact.  

Spot Phishing Emails  

One communication method that fraudsters use is phishing emails. Often, these emails impersonate someone in your contacts, such as your boss or family member. Be sure to check the email address used to send you the message. Phishing emails will have abnormal email addresses. Do not click any links from a suspicious email. Phishing emails typically are poorly written and are written with a sense of urgency, for example, threatening to shut your email account down if you do not act.  

Use Lock n’ Block  

If you lost your debit card or believe it has been stolen, use Lock’ N’Block to immediately lock your card from purchases. Simply log in to online banking or the Provincial Credit Union app and lock your card. If you misplaced your card and find it, you can unlock your card from the app or online banking as well. If you used Lock’N’Block because your card is lost or stolen, you should still call your nearest branch so that our staff can further assist you.  

Do Not Send Money to People You Do Not Know 

When sending an e-Transfer, verify that the name and email match the information of the person you know. If you are sending an e-Transfer to an account that has auto-deposit, verify that the name on the bank account matches the name of the person you intend to send money to. Remember, if you send an e-Transfer and the e-Transfer is deposited, you cannot get the funds back.  So, make sure you double-check who you are sending money to.  

Monitor your Accounts 

Check your bank account and credit cards regularly. If you notice a charge that you do not recognize, contact Provincial Credit Union or your financial institution immediately.  

If you notice suspicious activity or are unsure if something is legitimate or fraud, talk to one of our employees. You can walk into your nearest branch, text us at 1-855-728-2211, or call your branch.  

Tip: For more information on cyber security, AI scams, and keeping yourself safe from fraud, visit Get Cyber Safe.