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When dating and meeting people online, it's crucial to avoid ever sending any form of money through online transactions. Romance scams have been on the rise, specifically during a time when people may be more vulnerable to feeling lonely. In many cases, fraudsters will ask for small sums of money throughout the relationship, inevitably asking for a very large amount of money, then ending the relationship or cutting all ties, without ever even meeting in person. Police and the... Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre suggest that people first ask themselves would someone I have never met really declare their love for me after only a few letters or emails?" Never give out any personal information in an email or online chat and do a background check on the person, checking their name and address mentioned. Never send money or give credit cards or banking information to anyone. Victims of romance scams should contact their local police service. Complaints can also be filed through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Read the article about a romance scam that cost the victim $45,000 here: http://bit.ly/3rV8pXc

Do you have important documents that have been sitting in your drawer for years? It's understandable that we keep them just in case we ever need them, but surely there are some that have reached their expiry date of usefulness. Rather than simply letting them pile up, it's beneficial to take the time to go through them to sort through what can be helpful in the future and what needs to be tossed. Check out this article to learn about when to keep documents and how long you ...should keep them for! #WEshred

So you've got your new credit card in the mail to replace your expired one. It may seem like simply tossing your expired card is an appropriate way of disposing it, but think again. Although you can do this, it's not recommended. Many believe that because the card has expired, no one can use it and it no longer needs to be treated with caution. The only information that credit card thieves need is your name, credit card number, and the card’s expiry date to make purchases... or fake identity. Even if the card is no longer valid, it's still possible to gain access to your personal data. Check out the article below to learn about how to properly dispose of your expired credit cards here: https://bit.ly/3lLNSSN #WEshred

There is nothing like sunshine and fresh air to get you motivated. Weather aside, we’ve spent an excessive amount of time in our homes this past year, especially on our online devices. Not only do they help pass the time, but they allow us to stay in touch with our friends and family. So, what does technology have to do with spring cleaning? ... Cleaning out your digital devices is just as important as dusting your tea cup collection. Click below to find out what you can do to protect your online private information and percent identity theft. #WEshred

Have you done your taxes? When doing your taxes, it's a process that involves different types of important documents. After years of piling up in your file cabinet, you may start to wonder as to what should be kept and what should be shredded. In addition to using the information to prepare for your next income tax return, it may come in handy years down the line. Tax data is helpful and is often required in many non-tax financial situations. Check out this article to learn about which tax documents you should keep and which you should shred here: http://bit.ly/3rUQm3k #WEshred

The risk of falling victim to financial fraud is growing, it's a multi-million dollar problem for Canadian businesses. According to a CPA Canada survey, almost one-third of participants fell victim to financial fraud at some point in their life. Most notably, online payment/wire transfer fraud and counterfeit/altered cheques have seen a jump in recent years. As financial fraud becomes more prevalent, here are some ways to protect yourself:... - Secure Your Deposits - Protect Your Cheques - Safeguard Your Online Identity - Reconcile Your Account Transactions - Train Your Staff Check out the link below for more info on trends in financial fraud and fraud prevention! *If you or someone you know believes that they are or have been a victim of identity theft, contact your local police force, contact your bank or financial institution, place a fraud alert on your credit report, and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by visiting their website or calling 1-888-495-8501. #fraudpreventionmonth #WEshred #identitythieves Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Ontario Windsor Police Service Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers

Happy Thanksgiving Just a friendly reminder that we are out of the office today. We'll be back to business and eating turkey leftovers tomorrow! #WEshred #WEstore

Identity theft -- online or not -- can happen to anyone. We find this article extremely informative as it discusses signs that can indicate you are a victim of identity theft to how to protect yourself. No surprise here, our favourite tip: shred and destroy! #WEshred

We aren’t here to scare you, but it is incredibly important to know that identity theft isn’t just an adult problem. Children are a prime target for identity thieves as most people under 18 are not actively applying for credit or monitoring it. Essentially, it makes them easy prey. #WEshred Click below for some easy activities that can help your kids learn what it means to keep their personal information away from prying eyes.

We talk a lot about protecting your personal information, but your business' is just as important. What steps have you taken to protect your employees and customers from fraudsters? Have you thought about it lately? Like this article reminds us, don't sit idly by and hope for the best. Read more the top steps you should take to secure your business’ data and keep it away from prying eyes here: https://bit.ly/2FZSSCD

"Canadians are most familiar with the direct financial warning signs of identity theft, like unexplained withdrawals or charges on their accounts (36%), and receiving bills for unreceived services (33%). But it was the more indirect signs that most Canadians had difficulty detecting." Do your best to stay abreast of what tricks fraudsters are up to so you can better protect yourself and your loved ones! #weshred Click below for more information.

Two important facts: 1 - 48 per cent of Canadians are unable to identify all of the warning signs that someone has stolen their personal information for the purposes of identity theft, when provided with a list. 2 - 42 per cent of Canadians have noticed an overall increase in suspicious emails, texts, phone calls, or online advertisements recently.... Read more for information on how to protect yourself from identity theft: https://bit.ly/32TuknJ

The most important take-aways from this article: 1. An advance fee scheme is when a victim pays for something of value only to receive little to nothing in return. This type of crime is extremely common and appears in many forms. 2. Maintain good cyber hygiene (changing passwords frequently, requiring two-factor authentication, etc.) 3. Always report fraud! ... #WEShred #yqg

Password security is always essential when browsing and using tech. Even more so when it comes to our children. According to a McAfee study conducted in 2013, up to 74 per cent of parents control their children’s passwords. In other words, parents exercise more than just the right to inspect the child’s assets: they reserve the right to impersonate their child. What are your thoughts on this topic? #WEshred... Read more by clicking below!

Long gone are the days of keeping a security box at the bank. In fact, long gone are the days of keeping physical copies of documents. Well, mostly anyway. If you are drowning in documents (cough-paper-cough) at work or at home, document storage may be your answer! #WEstore Not familiar with the process? Click here for more information: https://bit.ly/2DRpu0D

What a great idea! This virtual workshop came to our attention this morning and we wanted to share with all of you. #WEshred Would you attend a virtual workshop that focuses on identity theft and fraud prevention? If so, click below to learn more.

It is always important to keep yourself, family, and friends aware of what they should and shouldn't be doing to prevent identity theft and fraud. Give the below tips and share it with those who would benefit form the information! #WEshred

Passwords are no joke. So why are we still creating password out of our birthdays, dog's name, or mom's maiden name? The sooner we take passwords more seriously, the more protected we will be online. Remember, identity thieves don't believe in boundaries. P.S. Stop ignoring that ""enable two-factor authentication"" when it comes to password protection. You won't regret it. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3je86lw

"The most harmful perspective is believing you’re not at risk of a cyberattack." Whether you are online shopping, chatting with loved ones, banking, or applying for a job, do you best to avoid scams while online. Click below for tips put together by the Better Business Bureau to help Canadians stay safe online! #WEshred