Canadians Confident They Can Spot Scams, but Cybersecurity Habits Tell a Different Story

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Canadians Confident They Can Spot Scams, but Cybersecurity Habits Tell a Different StoryAuthor of the article:Last updated 0 minutes ago According to a new Equifax Canada survey, nearly two-thirds of Canadians have encountered fraudulent messages in the past year, while gaps in online precautions persistTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountTORONTO, Oct. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — More than eight in 10 Canadians surveyed (83 per cent) are confident they can distinguish legitimate communications from scams, yet a new Equifax Canada survey* for Cybersecurity Awareness Month reveals significant gaps in how consumers protect their personal information and online accounts.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of Canadians have encountered at least one type of fraudulent message or online content in the past 12 months. Despite widespread confidence in recognizing scams, only 22 per cent describe themselves as “very confident”, while 61 per cent are “somewhat confident”.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe findings also reveal that just 58 per cent use multi-factor authentication on many of their financial and social media accounts, while 50 per cent use unique passwords for important accounts. More than one in five (22 per cent) admit to reusing the same two or three passwords across multiple accounts. This can be problematic because, if a data breach occurs on one website, reusing passwords allows hackers to break into other accounts using new and powerful automated tools.“As Canadians are more exposed to fraudulent communications in everyday interactions, recognizing scams has become increasingly challenging,” said Octavia Howell, Chief Information Security Officer, Equifax Canada. “While it’s encouraging that consumers feel confident identifying suspicious messages, awareness alone isn’t enough. Strong passwords, multi-factor authentication and knowing how to respond when something goes wrong are important parts of protecting personal information.”This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Bank Impersonation and Fake Account Alerts Among Most Common ScamsThe survey identifies the types of fraudulent communications Canadians report encountering most frequently over the past year:37 per cent encountered fraudulent emails or texts impersonating Canadian banks or government agencies.36 per cent encountered fake notifications claiming someone had accessed or attempted to access their banking or social media accounts.26 per cent encountered fraudulent investment opportunities.26 per cent encountered fake social media messages or videos impersonating trusted brands or public figures.16 per cent encountered fraudulent job offers.Scam exposure also varies across the country. Nearly three-quarters of British Columbians (75 per cent) report encountering at least one type of fraudulent message or content, compared with 53 per cent in Quebec.One in Five Young Canadians Surveyed Would Ignore a Data Breach NotificationDespite widespread concerns about identity theft and fraud, the survey also suggests some Canadians may be slow to respond when their personal information is exposed. One in five Canadians aged 18 to 34 (20 per cent) surveyed say they would ignore a notification that their personal information had been compromised unless they noticed suspicious activity, compared with 11 per cent of Canadians aged 55 and older.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Nationally, 14 per cent surveyed say they would take the same wait-and-see approach. While two-thirds (66 per cent) of those surveyed would contact their bank or financial institution following a breach notification, fewer than half (44 per cent) would immediately change the password on the affected account, and just 24 per cent would contact a credit bureau to place a fraud alert.“One of the biggest mistakes consumers make is assuming that nothing needs to be done until suspicious activity appears,” added Howell. “If your personal information has been exposed, it’s important to take the notification seriously, secure affected accounts and watch for unusual activity. Taking a few preventive steps can help reduce the risk of identity theft and financial fraud.”Equifax Canada encourages consumers to regularly review their credit reports, use unique passwords and multi-factor authentication, and independently verify unexpected communications before sharing personal or financial information. In addition, consumers can learn more about cybersecurity and how to protect themselves and may want to consider a subscription service such as Equifax Complete Protection.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.* The Equifax Canada Cybersecurity and Financial Literacy Omnibus survey was conducted by Leger through its LEO online panel among 1,525 Canadian adults aged 18 and older between October 9 and 11, 2026. A probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.About EquifaxAt Equifax, we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by nearly 15,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.ca.Andrew FindlaterSELECT Public Relationsafindlater@selectpr.ca(647) 444-1197Angie AndichEquifax Canada Media RelationsMediaRelationsCanada@equifax.comThis advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.