General Security Practices

You play a role in protecting the security of your personal information. In addition to following Safe Computing Practices, here are some other best practices that can help you keep your information secure.

• Stay informed and follow any new security practices that may emerge over time.


• Protect your PIN and passwords (online, mobile, telephone, ATM, direct payment).


• Memorise your PIN, Telephone Banking, and Scotia OnLine passwords. Choose PIN/passwords that cannot be guessed by others and do not write them down.


• Be discriminating. Be sure who you're dealing with and don't give out your personal information freely. Find out why it's needed and how it will be used, and then determine if it's relevant to provide. Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or know with whom you are dealing.


• Destroy old and expired bank and credit cards.


• Shred documents that contain personal information (i.e., bank statements).


• Destroy carbons and receipts that may contain account numbers and/or signatures.


• Tear up or shred any pre-approved credit card offers to which you do not respond.


• Protect your National Tax ID and those of your children and other family members by not carrying them in you wallet.


• Minimise the pieces of identification and number of cards that you carry. Do not carry your National Tax ID card, passport, or birth certificate unless needed.


• Report lost or stolen cheques, credit or debit cards immediately.


• Notify your bank or the police of suspicious activity.


• Store cancelled cheques, chequebooks, and account statements in a safe place.


• Retrieve and review your mail promptly.


• Review your bank account and credit card statements promptly. Know when to expect them and enquire with the bank/company if you do not receive them when expected (within a reasonable amount of time).


• Sign the back of any new cards (both credit and debit cards) as soon as you get them, and activate new credit cards immediately whenever possible.


• Educate your children about sharing personal information.


• Follow Safe Computing Practices.

• Respond to unsolicited emails that request personal information such as your debit or credit card numbers, ATM PIN, or Internet Banking passwords.


• Leave your bank and credit cards unattended and do not let them out of your sight when making a purchase.


• Leave cards unattended in your vehicle, your work, or other places.


• Email confidential information such as account numbers and date of birth.


• Leave personal information (such as bank statements) lying around.