For this week of Financial Literacy Month, we focus on a key aspect of financial knowledge: Fraud. Fraud can take place on many platforms, including identity fraud, debit card fraud, credit card fraud, email and phone fraud, real estate fraud, and online fraud. In our digital age, oversharing and the ease at which people can access your personal information can be quite scary. However, by following a few easy tips on how to safeguard your information – you can provide yourself with the tools to prevent fraud, keeping yourself and your family safe.

• Only provide personal information to verify your identity when you have initiated the communication or you trust the source.
• Do not rely on the contact information provided to you in an email or telephone call if you’re suspicious. Look up the company’s contact information yourself.
• Monitor the information you and your children share on social media platforms and social networking sites.
• Regularly check your credit card/debit card accounts and statements for any suspicious activity and report it immediately.
• Take precautions to protect your PIN whenever using your cards.
• Do not use an easily guessed PIN. You may be responsible for any loss if you use your address, telephone number, birth date, or social insurance number.

Preparing to sell/Have you sold your home, and now can use an advance on your equity before closing day, perhaps you need money for a new home deposit? Tembo Financial can help! Tembo offers this unique service to homeowners in Ontario and the GTA. You could receive your money in as little as 48 hours with no credit check and no appraisal* for expenses that matter to you. Don’t wait, start today!

*Subject to qualification.