Preventing fraud Card and account fraud

Interac e-Transfer^® interception fraud and safety

Interac e-Transfer interception fraud is a growing trend. By using stolen personal information and guessing security answers correctly, fraudsters can redirect and deposit Interac e-Transfer transactions to their accounts. Protect your accounts by understanding your responsibilities as a sender and recipient.

3-minute read

What you need to know

Don't enter personal information on websites linked from suspicious emails or texts. Look for signs, such as spelling mistakes or lack of personalization.
As a sender, make your security question and answer unique and difficult to guess. Only share security answers over a secure channel.
As a recipient, register for Autodeposit and make difficult and unique passwords for your accounts.

Notice anything suspicious? Let us know.

How does Interac e-Transfer interception happen?

Interac e-Transfer interception occurs when a fraudster redirects a real money transfer to their account and deposits your money. Interception can happen when your email has been hacked.

Fraudsters can get your personal and account information by sending texts or emails that appear to be from legitimate sources. Selecting the links and inputting your personal information such as usernames, PINs and passwords can expose your email to scammers or make you susceptible to malware.

Once fraudsters have access to your email account, they’re able to see the notifications and links for your Interac e-Transfer transactions. Fraudsters can either guess the correct security answer, use previous answers or check for emails containing the security question and answer to redirect the funds into their accounts.

Tips to stay safe when using Interac e-Transfer

As a sender:

Only share the answer to your security question with the recipient over a secure method of communication, such as over the phone. Don’t share the answer via email, text or on social media.
Create a unique security question that only you and the recipient will know. Use a variety of characters (including upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols) to strengthen your answer.
Don’t include the answer in your security question.
Don’t reuse the same security question and answer for multiple recipients.

As a recipient:

Deposit your money automatically without answering a security question when you register for Autodeposit.
Create strong and unique passwords to protect your bank, email and social media accounts. Avoid including information that’s easy to guess, such as birthdays or names.
Don’t share your passwords with anyone or use the same password for all your accounts.
Don’t suggest multiple senders use the same security question and answer.

Read Protect yourself from Interac e-Transfer fraud (PDF, 45 KB) Opens in a new window.

Our promise for your money

If you've been affected by fraud and have done everything in your power to keep your accounts safe, we'll help you get your money back. To learn more about the security guidelines for your accounts, review our Online Security Guarantee.

Notice anything suspicious? Let us know.

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Interac e-Transfer^® interception fraud and safety

What you need to know

How does Interac e-Transfer interception happen?

Tips to stay safe when using Interac e-Transfer

Our promise for your money

Notice anything suspicious? Let us know.

Explore more types of fraud and scams

Learn more about Interac e-Transfer fraud

About us

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Interac e-Transfer® interception fraud and safety

What you need to know

How does Interac e-Transfer interception happen?

Tips to stay safe when using Interac e-Transfer

Our promise for your money

Notice anything suspicious? Let us know.

Explore more types of fraud and scams

Learn more about Interac e-Transfer fraud

About us

Privacy and protection

Support

Help

Interac e-Transfer^® interception fraud and safety