Security Centre

Everything you need to stay one step ahead

Here you can expand your security know-how. And the next time you're faced
with a security concern, you'll know exactly what to do.

Suspect suspicious activity?

Report it to us

Card lost or stolen?

Call us and let us help: 1-800-4-SCOTIA (1-800-472-6842)

Protect your PC with McAfee AntiVirus Plus

To keep your PC safe and secure we’re offering McAfee® AntiVirus Plus free for one year (a $59.99 value).

With it you’ll be protected from:

  • Viruses, spyware, and adware
  • Phishing
  • Spam
  • Hackers
Learn more and download

Security Guarantee

We will fully reimburse you in the unlikely event that you suffer direct financial losses due to unauthorized activity1 in your accounts through Scotia OnLine Financial Services2 or through Mobile Banking, provided you have met your security responsibilities.

Safe Computing Practices

How do we protect you?

Meet the Unusual Suspects - Open Dialog

Meet the Unusual Suspects

Get to know them before they get to know you! These unusual suspects have only one mission – to find a way to scam innocent people.
But if you get to know them now, you can put a stop to their plans in the future.

Identity Thief - This dude wants to steal your personal info to commit fraud or theft.

Identity Thief

The Identity Thief wants your personal information for fraudulent purposes, like opening credit cards, bank accounts and passports in your name.
Almost anything is game for them, including your date of birth, SIN, address and signature.

Specialist in:

  • Digging up information via social media
  • Stealing your mail
Stay safe - get Trusteer's Rapport Security
It can be hard to tell when someone is out to steal your identity. Follow these steps to lessen
the chances of becoming a victim:

  • Recognize

    Watch for new accounts being opened in your name, mail going missing, or collection agencies calling for debts that aren't yours.

  • Prevent

    Do everything you can to ensure your login ID, passwords, and other sensitive information are never stolen by others. Where possible, go paperless.
    Download Free Rapport Security Software

  • Outsmart

    To help keep you one step ahead of The Unusual Suspects, we're creating a variety of fun quizzes, helpful tests and more. So check back soon to test your knowledge!
There are certain things you should and shouldn't do – today, tomorrow and always
- to help keep you safe from an Identify Thief, like:
  • Create secure usernames and passwords
  • Shred documents that contain your personal information
  • Memorize your PINs and Passwords
  • Be careful what you share online
  • Avoid using public computers for confidential transactions
  • If working in a public space, do not leave your computer unattended
  • Monitor your account activity using InfoAlerts
If you're a victim of Identity Theft, we recommend following these steps immediately:
  • If you are a Scotiabank customer, contact your branch or call 1-800-4-SCOTIA (1-800-472-6842)
  • Immediately change your usernames, passwords and PINs
  • Contact your local police force and file a report
  • Contact Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada to request identity protection and your credit report
  • Report identity theft and fraud to the Canadian Anti -Fraud Center
Phishing Pro - This guy will try to bait you into disclosing personal information.

Phishing Pro

The Phishing Pro will use fake emails and websites to trick you into sharing personal information to commit a variety of crimes including identity theft.
Information they're looking for includes usernames, passwords, your SIN, date of birth and more.

Specialist in:

  • Hoax websites
  • Spam and hoax emails
  • Hoax phone calls
Stay safe - get Trusteer's Rapport Security
Don't take the bait. Reduce your chances of being scammed by the Phishing Pro by following these steps:

  • Recognize

    When suspicious about an email or website look for things like obvious spelling mistakes, urgent requests for personal information and bogus links. The Bank will never send you unsolicited emails asking for your password, PIN, account numbers, etc. Nor will we ask you to validate or restore your account access through unsolicited email.

  • Prevent

    Download Trusteer's Rapport Security Software – it will help you immediately recognize trustworthy sites. Be careful of callers pretending to be the Bank. If you are suspicious about a website, email, or phone call, do not provide any information.
    Download Free Trusteer Rapport Security Software

  • Outsmart

    To help keep you one step ahead of The Unusual Suspects, we're creating a variety of fun quizzes, helpful tests and more. So check back soon to test your knowledge!
There are certain things you should and shouldn't do – today, tomorrow and always - to help keep you safe from a Phishing Pro, like:
  • Immediately delete spam emails from your inbox and block the sender
  • Do not provide information to any email or site that you are suspicious about
  • Visit websites that you know and trust
  • Verify that a site is secure by observing the "https" in the web address and the SSL certificate in the browser
  • Check your accounts regularly to ensure there are no suspicious transactions
  • Set up InfoAlerts to stay on top of your account activity
If you're a victim of Phishing, we recommend following these steps immediately:
  • If you are a Scotiabank customer, contact your branch or call 1-800-4-SCOTIA (1-800-472-6842) immediately
  • Change any compromised usernames, passwords and PINs
  • Request a credit report from Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada
  • Report identity theft and fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center
Browser Exploiter - He'll try to access your info through flaws in your computer software.

Browser Exploiter

The Browser Exploiter will hack into your computer through your web browser to commit crimes or even take over your online banking session. Plus, he'll use your computer to spread malicious files to others. He's looking for things like your full name, date of birth, SIN, usernames and passwords.

Specialist in:

  • Malicious ads and websites
  • Tracking software
  • Key logging software on your computer
Stay safe - get McAfee AntiVirus Plus
Stop the Browser Exploiter in his tracks by doing a few simple things:
There are certain things you should and shouldn't do – today, tomorrow and always - to help keep your browser from being exploited, like:
  • Keep the software on your computer up-to-date
  • Configure the security settings in your browser for optimum security
  • Do not set your computer to remember passwords – memorize them
  • Regularly clear your browser history and cache
  • Avoid using public computers for confidential transactions
If your browser is exploited, we recommend following these steps immediately:
  • Install and run anti-virus software
  • Clear your browser history, cache and cookies
  • Update your software
  • Monitor your accounts regularly. Get started with InfoAlerts.
  • Use a well reputed computer repair service
Card Skimmer - She wants to duplicate your debit or credit card to take your money.

Card Skimmer

The Card Skimmer will duplicate or steal your debit or credit card and make purchases and/or steal your money. They're looking for the information on your magnetic strip, like your credit card number, expiry date and last three digits printed on the signature panel, your bank account numbers and signature.

Specialist in:

  • Card theft & duplication
  • Observing your PIN
Don't let your money slip into the wrong hands by staying alert and following these steps:

  • Recognize

    Stay vigilant – review all your financial accounts regularly and make sure all expected mail is received.
    Set up InfoAlerts to stay on top of your account activity.

  • Prevent

    Be cautious around ABMs and at the point of sale, carefully observe anyone who handles your debit or credit card and always protect your PIN.

  • Outsmart

    To help keep you one step ahead of The Unusual Suspects, we're creating a variety of fun quizzes, helpful tests and more. So check back soon to test your knowledge!
There are certain things you should and shouldn't do – today, tomorrow and always - to help keep you safe from an ATM Scammer, like:
  • Always destroy expired or cancelled cards
  • Use your CHIP enabled debit or credit card for purchases
  • Immediately sign the back of new cards
  • Report lost or stolen cards
If you're a victim of an ATM Scammer, we recommend following these steps immediately:
Internet Hacker - He'd love to break into your computer to steal money & spread viruses.

Internet Hacker

The Internet Hacker will try to get into your computer through weaknesses so they can commit a variety of crimes, like clear out your accounts or spread computer viruses. Information they're looking for includes your name, date of birth, SIN, username, passwords, and more.

Specialist in:

  • Breaching firewalls
  • Accessing your Wi-Fi
  • Initiating worms and viruses
Stay safe - get McAfee AntiVirus Plus
Keep your computer and information as secure as possible from intruders by following these simple steps:

  • Recognize

    Never accept requests to connect with another computer that you do not know and trust. Be mindful if computer performance or software response times are slower than usual.
    Donwload or upgrade to a supported browser

  • Prevent

    Keep your computer safe by detecting, blocking and removing viruses from your computer.
    Download McAfee AntiVirus Plus.

  • Outsmart

    To help keep you one step ahead of The Unusual Suspects, we're creating a variety of fun quizzes, helpful tests and more. So check back soon to test your knowledge!
There are certain things you should and shouldn't do – today, tomorrow and always - to help keep you safe from an Internet Hacker, like:
  • Make sure you have a firewall installed and enabled
  • Password protect your wireless router
  • Always change the default name and password on your router
  • Avoid using public Wi-Fi hotspots when possible
  • Turn the Wi-Fi radio on your computer off when not in use
  • Do not download software or email attachments from untrusted sources
If you're the victim of a computer hacker, we recommend following these steps immediately:
  • Make sure your computer is as secure as possible
  • Immediately change your usernames, passwords and PINs

The Unusual Suspects Video

close video

1 "Unauthorized activity" means a transaction that was carried out in your Scotiabank account through Scotia OnLine without your permission, authorization or knowledge and where it can be established that you are a victim of fraud, theft or coercion.

2 "Accounts" include all accounts that are accessible through Scotia OnLine.