You might find it frustrating. You might find it annoying. You might find it saves you thousands of dollars.

The policies and procedures put in place by RBC Dominion Securities (and pretty much every investment management/financial institution) are there to safeguard your assets.

We don’t always love them from our perspective either. The extra steps can slow down the services we’re trying to provide.

But fraud keeps getting more and more sophisticated. As fast as we learn of a scam, a new one is circulating. Even those in the know get sidetracked by scams that look like everyday business.

“The phishing email, purported to be from city manager Steve Kanellakos, asked Simulik to wire the money to a specified account in order to complete an acquisition on behalf of the city. Simulik sent a few emails back and forth with the fraudster and ultimately signed off on the transfer, with the city’s treasury branch issuing the funds later that day.”  (OBJ April 8, 2019. City of Ottawa treasurer fell victim to US$100K phishing scam:  auditor general)

And that’s how thieves stole roughly US$98,000 from Ottawa’s city treasurer.

That’s why, as part of our best practices, we ask you for your contact numbers, request that you let us know when you’re traveling, take note of your banking preferences, and ask for a VOID cheque to keep on file and link to your accounts.

To protect your money and your identity, we act as if all gmail, Hotmail, and yahoo mail is being watched and/or hacked. And when we feel we need to… we use the good old-fashioned phone.

We don’t take money transfer instructions by email; we will be calling you – on the number we have on file for you - to confirm money leaving your account. We’re diligent in asking for updated contact information and depend on you to let us know when your personal details change.

Would it be quicker and easier for us both to manage requests through email? Yes. But it’s also quick and easy for thieves to steal names, titles, email addresses, templates and logos… just ask Ottawa’s city treasurer.

We communicate with our clients through Secure Web Email (which requires a password from you to gain access to the message, details & any attachments) and/or Two Way Messaging through the RBCDS Online portal when it comes to the sensitive details.  

Truly – we’re here to advise and protect. When you keep us informed of what’s happening in your life, especially from a financial perspective, we can do a more thorough job safeguarding your assets against cybercrime.

Want to know more (and worry less) about falling victim to cybercrime and security?

Join me in person for an exclusive Elevated Conversations event featuring Byron Holland, President & CEO of the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (aka CIRA): Cybersecurity – the new frontier of online threats; protecting Canada’s domain.

Elevated Conversations with Colleen O’Connell-Campbell explore financial, technological and other projected trends in business and society. Their purpose is to bring together smart investors, entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals in an era of significant disruption to our world – and the way we live and do business.

In this Elevated Conversation, we’ll enjoy a robust discussion about online security and meet the leader for Canada’s domain “.ca”. We’ll also discuss:

• What CIRA is all about
• Why, as a business owner, entrepreneur or online consumer you should care about how CIRA is advancing the internet in Canada and around the world
• How CIRA is creating a secure, accessible and resilient internet for Canadians while also shaping internet governance across the globe

Wednesday, May 29, 2019
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served.
Location: A fine Preston establishment (address to be provided with reservation)

Attendance is complimentary & by application here.

AND email me here for your copy of the RBC Dominion Securities Inc. publication “Safeguarding Your Personal Information.”

AND apply here for a Personal Prosperity Discovery Session to learn how to build your Roadmap to Real Riches - a fresh take on wealth management that optimizes how you spend, save & share your wealth.