Digital Confidence — Quick Reference

Take this home — it summarises what we covered today.

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🔒 Staying Safe Online

  • Use a different password for each important account
  • A passphrase is easier to remember: PurpleDogEatsCarrots!
  • Lock your phone with a PIN or fingerprint
  • Only shop on websites that start with https://
  • Log out of online banking when you are done
  • Public Wi-Fi: do not check banking or email

⚠️ Pop-Ups and Scary Messages

  • A real tech company will never call you about a virus
  • A pop-up saying "your computer is infected" is almost always fake
  • Never call a phone number from a pop-up
  • Never let anyone connect to your computer remotely unless you know them
  • To close a scary pop-up: close the whole browser (Alt + F4 on Windows; Cmd + Q on Mac)
  • When in doubt, turn off the screen and ask someone you trust

📧 Email and Messages

  • You can look without clicking — hover over a link to see where it goes
  • Unexpected attachments: do not open unless you were expecting them
  • The CRA will never email or text you asking for payment
  • Your bank will never ask for your full password by email
  • If a message asks you to "act immediately," slow down — that is a pressure tactic
  • Report suspicious email: forward to spam@antifraudcentre.ca

🏦 Online Banking Basics

  • Always type your bank's address directly — do not search for it
  • The address bar should show a padlock icon and your bank's name
  • Log out completely when finished — do not just close the tab
  • Set up text alerts for transactions over $50
  • Check your statement monthly for charges you do not recognise
  • Call the number on the back of your card if something looks wrong

🚨 The Three Most Common Scams — Know These Cold

CRA / Tax Scam

You owe tax and must pay now by gift card, wire transfer, or Bitcoin. The real CRA sends letters by mail and does not demand immediate payment by phone.

Grandparent Scam

Someone calls pretending to be your grandchild in trouble, asking for emergency cash and secrecy. Always hang up and call your grandchild directly on their real number.

Tech Support Scam

A caller or pop-up says your computer has a virus and they need remote access to fix it. Hang up. Microsoft and Apple do not call you. Never grant remote access to a stranger.

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Canadian Benefits Quick Reference

Government benefits and services many seniors miss — all free to apply for.

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💰 Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

Monthly supplement for low-income OAS recipients. Up to $1,065/month for single seniors. Many eligible seniors have never applied. Must file taxes every year to keep it.

1-800-277-9914  ·  canada.ca/gis

🦷 Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

Free or low-cost dental coverage for eligible Canadians with income under $90,000. Enrol through My Service Canada Account or call Service Canada.

1-833-537-4342  ·  canada.ca/dental

🍁 CRA My Account

View your tax return, check benefit payment dates, update direct deposit, and download tax slips — all online. Free. No waiting on hold.

1-800-959-8281  ·  cra-arc.gc.ca

🇨🇦 My Service Canada Account

View your CPP and OAS payments, update your bank for direct deposit, check GIS eligibility, and download T4A slips. Same login as CRA for most people.

1-800-277-9914  ·  canada.ca/msca

💊 Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB)

Ontario seniors 65+ pay only $6.11 per covered prescription. GIS recipients pay $2 with no annual deductible. Show your health card at any pharmacy — you may already be enrolled.

1-800-268-1154  ·  ontario.ca/drugs

🌷 Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB)

Energy, property tax, and sales tax credits paid monthly to eligible Ontario residents. Applied for on your Ontario tax return (Form ON-BEN). Frances's story: $1,847 recovered.

1-877-627-6645  ·  ontario.ca/trillium

📋 GST/HST Credit

Quarterly tax-free payment (~$130 every 3 months for a single person with low income). Calculated automatically when you file taxes. January, April, July, October.

1-800-959-1953  ·  canada.ca/gst-credit

🏥 Free Tax Clinics (CVITP)

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program — trained volunteers file your taxes for free if you have a simple return. Available at libraries, community centres, and seniors' groups across Canada.

1-800-959-8281  ·  canada.ca/cvitp

📞 Report a Scam or Get Help

If you need to…Call
Report a scam or fraud1-888-495-8501  ·  Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Report an online scam (RCMP)reportcybercrime.ca
Report a suspicious emailspam@antifraudcentre.ca
Bank card blocked unexpectedlyNumber on the back of your card
Need help with your computerAsk your local library — many have free drop-in help

Notes from today's session

Digital Confidence Centre  ·  Two Birds Innovation  ·  St. Thomas, Ontario twobirds-kramerica.github.io/digital-confidence/  ·  Free to share