November 9, 2009 Organization

Montréal – For a second consecutive year, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is participating in the "Protect your identity online" campaign. An initiative of the Institut de sécurité de l’information du Québec (ISIQ), the campaign aims to raise public awareness about safe Internet practices and identity theft.

The AMF has signed on to the campaign given the growing number of Quebeckers who bank over the Internet and conduct electronic transactions via discount brokerage sites.

The AMF urges consumers in particular to protect themselves against prevalent Internet fraud scams such as phishing. "Be on your guard if you receive an e-mail from a company you normally deal with, asking you to immediately update your personal information. When you click on the link, you are directed to a replica of the company's website you are familiar with, and all the information you provide through this fake site falls into the hands of skilled fraudsters," noted Anne-Marie Poitras, Superintendent, Client Services and Compensation at the AMF.

"The AMF supports this ISIQ initiative, which will help remind Quebeckers that they need to be cautious when conducting financial transactions on-line and that they should report any attempts at fraud or identity theft. The more this message is conveyed, the more consumers and investors will be protected," added Ms. Poitras.

Various information tools prepared by the AMF are available free of charge to protect consumers and investors against fraud, including the brochure "Red-flagging financial fraud."

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is the regulatory and oversight body for Québec’s financial sector.

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