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Protect yourself from fraud


How to protect yourself | COVID-19 frauds and scams | What to do if you think you might be a victim of fraud


How Meridian helps keep you and your money safe

We put the well-being and security of our Members first. That’s why we have a team of expert fraud investigators, who work to detect, prevent, and investigate fraud and ensure our Members’ funds don't end up in the wrong hands. If we ever notice something unusual, we will contact you immediately to determine if there are unauthorized actions associated with your account.

 

Keeping your online and mobile transactions safe

To keep your online and mobile transactions as safe as possible and guard the privacy and integrity of your information, we:

  • Use strong encryption to make sure that data passing between your device and our web server is secure.

  • Get digital certificates issued by trusted third-party companies so that you know our website is secure and genuine.

  • Log you out of your account automatically after 20 minutes of inactivity.

  • Use firewalls to protect your information with us.

 

Keeping your cards safe

Members with Meridian debit cards are protected by both Chip-and-PIN technology, and our voluntary endorsement of the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services to protect our Members from losses.

Members using a Meridian VISA card are also protected by Visa’s Zero Liability policy. For example, if someone steals your Visa card number, you pay nothing for their fraudulent activity. This policy applies to any item purchased with your Visa card or card number, including purchases made online.

 

Helping victims of fraud

In the unlikely event you become a victim of fraud and unauthorized* transactions occur, we will reimburse you 100%, provided you have met your responsibilities. Learn more about our 100% Security Guarantee.


How to protect yourself

You can help protect yourself and other Members from fraud. When it comes to locking down your privacy, security and money, common sense is your first line of defense. Two key elements of protecting yourself from fraud are: strengthening your online security and preventing identify theft.

Technology makes our lives so much easier - but without proper security habits, it can also be vulnerable to fraud. Make sure you know the basics of strong online security:

  • Keep any software you use up-to-date, including anti-virus programs and firewalls.

  • Always log out of your online banking sessions.

  • Don’t ever share your passwords or security question answers. Make sure that passwords and answers are unique, difficult to guess, and follow best practice guidelines. Tips on creating a strong password.

  • Don’t click on any links in an email from a person or organization you don’t know. Learn more about phishing scams.

  • If you shop online, make sure the site is secure. The URL should have the prefix "https" and show a padlock.

  • Don’t use a public wireless networks to log into any website with sensitive personal information, like Meridian online banking, CRA My Account, or even email.

  • Don’t share any personal information, security answers, or passwords over email. For example, poor email security can leave you open to e-Transfer fraud. Tips on preventing e-Transfer fraud.


We share so much of live online these days that identity theft has, unfortunately, become more common. In addition to strong online security habits, here’s how you can protect your identity.

  • Review your bank statements as soon as you get them. If you notice something suspicious activity, let us know right away by calling 1-866-592-2226.

  • At least once a year, get a copy of your credit report to make sure that it’s accurate. Be sure to check both “hard” and “soft” inquiries for any creditors you do not recognize. Canada has two national credit bureaus: Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada.

  • Enroll in CRA MyAccount, a secure portal that lets you monitor your personal income tax and benefit information online. Get started.

  • Empty your mailbox every day, and make sure someone you trust is collecting your mail when you’re away from home.

  • Shred any documents containing your personal and financial information instead of just throwing them away.

  • Store ID cards and important documents like as birth certificates, social insurance numbers and passports, in a secure place at home.

  • Don’t keep every card and ID you have in your wallet and make sure that the credit card you get back from the cashier is your own.


Do you have a business to protect?

We have advice on keep your business safe from fraud and scams by securing your policies, payments, accounts, and employee duties to prevent fraud. Here are 9 tips.


COVID-19 frauds and scams

There are currently a lot of phishing scams using COVID-19 to target people and steal their personal and financial information. It’s important to remember that no legitimate financial or government organization will ever ask you for information over email. Also, don’t click on any links in an email from someone you don’t know.

For a comprehensive list of scams and frauds related to COVID-19, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Some of the most common phishing scams right now are related to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).


Text message reading: ( Canada Emergency Response Benefit ) A Payment (CAD) has been issued to help our citizens and economy fight against C-19.>> Text also includes a suspicious link reading: www.Gov-Cad-help.com

Watch out for emails and text messages offering a payment in return for personal information or encouraging you to click on a link. CERB isn’t sending out payments automatically, you have to apply for the benefit on the Government of Canada website.


If you do want to apply for CERB, or any government benefit, make sure you go to the right website. Don’t follow a link from an email. For example, this website is fake - it’s intended to gather personal and financial information.


Screenshot of a fake website that looks like a government of Canada site. It’s titled “Covid-19 fund” and includes a form with fields for your full name, current address, postal code, province or territory, phone number, and email address.

Screenshot of an Interac e-Transfer page called “Deposit Your Money.” It shows $842.69 CAD from Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)(account: 419***2). It asks you to select your financial institution.

CERB will also not send you Interac e-Transfers. This is a scam to get your financial information.


What to do if you think you might be a victim of fraud

If you notice an unauthorized transaction, or believe your confidential information may have been stolen or obtained by a fraudulent party either online, by telephone or through any other means, contact your branch or the Contact Centre immediately at 1-866-592-2226.

If you have already clicked on an email link and are now questioning whether it’s valid, or if you believe that fraudsters may have gotten your personal or banking information, please contact your branch or call the Contact Centre immediately at 1-866-592-2226.

To report a fake message posing as Meridian, forward the email, or send a picture of the SMS to OnlineBankingSecurity@meridiancu.ca. Please note that OnlineBankingSecurity@meridiancu.ca is an automated mailbox for reporting phishing and website fraud only – we are unable to provide responses from this mailbox.