Electronic Request for Information Form
Your comments and questions are important to us.
Please be advised that responses will only be sent for requests pertaining to City of Ottawa services.
The City will endeavour to respond within one week. If you have an enquiry of an urgent nature, please Call Us!
Please note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.
Do not include your credit card number via mail, email, or online correspondence. If your credit card information is required for the purposes of resolving your inquiry, a customer service agent will contact you directly. Keeping credit card information safe.
Reduce identity theft and fraud through credit card data safety
Credit cards, as one of the widely accepted methods of payment for day- to- day transactions, provide users with an increased level of purchasing convenience, rewards and financial stability. However, they also carry threats of personal information fraud and identity theft through the storage of valuable cardholder data that can be easily abused when in the wrong hands.
Fraud occurs when unauthorized individuals gain access to a credit card or its sensitive information with intention of using it for transactions unapproved by the holder[1]. Through identity theft, criminals secure significant identification traits such as credit card information in order to assume the persona of an unsuspecting card owner[2]. Since both fraud and identity theft are serious criminal offences causing distress and potential long term financial harm to the affected card holder[3], confidentiality of all personal data should be maintained.
Here are a few of the most effective ways of protection against misuse of personal information:
- Always keep credit card data confidential
- Do not voluntarily disclose your credit card information via email or other unsecured methods of transmission
- During online purchases, always confirm website's security first
- Refrain from disclosing any credit card data during phone conversations, unless you have originated the call for the purpose of making a purchase.
- Securely store your credit card on your person at all times and out of the view of other people
- Keep security in mind with your electronic devices- installing applications protecting against spyware and anti-virus software can reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access into your personal equipment
- Be aware and keep records of all credit card purchases in case of reporting fraudulent activity
- Immediately disclose misplaced or stolen credit card to the card issuer
[1] Criminal Code of Canada
[2] Criminal Code of Canada
[3] Criminal Code of Canada
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