Most Canadians (75%) are more concerned about fraud today than they were five years ago, finds a survey by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada). Respondents are particularly leery about protecting personal information while online shopping and using social media or email.

Read: Tax fraudsters posting as officers, warn Toronto-area police

Here are some additional findings.

  • 44% who have access to the Internet are uncomfortable making online purchases;
  • 26% do not spend anything on online purchases, while 20% spend $1,000 or more online in an average year;
  • 17% have corresponded, either through social media or email, with someone who misrepresented their true identity;
  • 14% state that someone had gained access to one of their email accounts without permission; 8% said the same thing about a social media account; and
  • 33% have been a victim of financial fraud at some point in their lives; credit card fraud had the highest incidence rate (65%), followed by debit card fraud (31%).

Fraud protection

Three-quarters of respondents are doing more to prevent themselves from being victims of fraud when compared with five years ago. Some simple but important actions are being taken.

Read: How to deal with reputational risk

  • 86% of those who have access to the Internet and have a debit/credit card use passwords that contain letters, numbers and symbols for websites that include financial information.
  • 80% who have a credit or debit card say they always shred statements that list credit or debit card numbers.
  • 73% always lock their mobile device when not in use.