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How Mackenzie protects your data
We take our privacy and data security obligations seriously and we are committed to safeguarding your information.
Bringing balance to risk and return
Data security & privacy
Our clients entrust us with their personal information. Safeguarding this information is a responsibility and priority for us.
Data security & privacy
We are committed to earning and maintaining your trust, and safeguarding your information is a top priority for us.
What’s the difference between data security & privacy?
Data security: refers to the way we protect personal information from falling into the wrong hands.
Privacy: refers to how we collect, use, disclose and protect personal information in the course of business. You can see our full privacy protection notice here.
How Mackenzie protects your data
The world of technology is constantly evolving. That’s why we partner with top technology providers
and use best in class technological solutions to support our business.
We continuously advance our technology, focusing on:
- Data loss prevention tools.
- A secure computing environment.
- Monitoring of email and internet traffic.
- Email security protocols.
There are three key areas that we consider to ensure that your data is safe
What you can do to protect yourself
Protecting personal information is a shared responsibility. While the digital world offers many benefits, it has introduced new risks that cannot be completely avoided. Today, everyone faces risks to their personal information in many different places as a part of everyday life.
Identity theft
Identify theft occurs when your personal information is obtained without your knowledge and consent with the intent of committing fraud or conducting unauthorized activities in your name. Identity theft can occur over time by assembling various pieces of personal information, potentially from different sources.
Tips
- Check all credit card, utility bills and bank statements regularly for unexcepted activity.
- If you don’t receive expected documents, follow up with the sending institution.
- Ensure safe destruction of these documents and consider migrating to online delivery.
- Limit content shared on social media platforms that could reveal key elements of your identity (such as your location, date of birth, names of family members, etc.)
Phishing
Phishing is the use of email to obtain personal and financial information. Typically, the email is designed to mimic trusted companies. Often, phishing emails claim there is an urgent matter or security breach that requires immediate attention.
Recipients are asked to open documents or click on links that appear legitimate. Instead, they are taken to fraudulent websites and asked to enter personal and financial information. This information can then be used commit fraud or access accounts.
Tips
- Be wary of emails from unknown or unsolicited sources. If you do not recognize the sender of the email, do not open attachments and delete the email.
- Even if you know the sender, be cautious of unusual requests that appear to be from one of your contacts. Hovering over the sender’s email address will display the domain used to send the email and may reveal if the sender is not your contact. Even if the address is legitimate, keep in mind that your contact’s email could have been compromised. If you are uncertain about any email, you should always contact the sender by another means (such as telephone, text) to validate.
- Do not click on links in emails. If you want to visit a certain website, open a new browser and type the true URL directly in the browser.
- Avoid providing personal or financial information in an email to an unfamiliar recipient. Ask yourself, “Would this sender really ask for this information in an email?”
Imposter (spoofed) websites
Another aspect of phishing is the use of websites to fraudulently obtain personal and financial information. Having clicked on a link, users are led to websites that appear to be legitimate. These sites are in fact fraudulent sites designed to collect your personal and financial information.
Tips
- Check that the URL in the browser address bar is correct. If in doubt, type in the company’s known URL (for example, www.mackenzieinvestments.com) and proceed from there.
- Look for the secure transaction symbol (a key or padlock) at the bottom of your browser before entering any personal or financial information.
- Save regularly viewed websites as favourites so you can easily return to the correct URL.
Signs of identity theft to look for
- You receive notices from banks or credit cards regarding an application you didn’t submit.
- Your bank or credit card statements include purchases you did not make.
- You receive bills for services you did not sign up for.
Be fraud aware
- Be cautious of any communication (email, text or phone call) that asks you to provide confidential personal or financial information.
- If in doubt, contact the company yourself directly, using valid published contact information.
- Don’t use contact information provided in the original communication.
What to do if you suspect identity theft or fraudulent activity
- Notify your financial institutions.
- Notify Canada’s two main consumer credit bureaus, TransUnion and Equifax, and place a fraud alert on your credit file.
- File a police report.
Keys to protecting your data
Has your data been compromised or misused? A credit bureau check may hold the answer.
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What is credit monitoring?
Credit monitoring services are offered by Canada’s two main consumer credit bureaus, TransUnion and Equifax.
Credit monitoring services provide regular updates on your credit score and can alert you when there is new activity on your credit report, such as inquiries from lenders for credit applications, new credit cards and loans. Credit monitoring can be used to check for signs of identity theft.
Services may also include dark web monitoring, which involves searching for specific personal information such as your name, social insurance number, email address and date of birth on the dark web. You usually need to opt-in and enter the specific information that you want monitored.
Credit monitoring services may also include fraud support and insurance, in the event you experience identity theft and fraud.
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What does your credit report contain?
Your credit report contains information about your credit cards and loans, including:
- When you opened the account.
- How much you owe and if you go over your credit limit.
- If you make your payments on time and if you miss payments.
- If your debt has been transferred to a collection agency.
- Whether you have filed for bankruptcy.
- Inquiries from lenders who have requested your credit report.
You can ask for a free copy of your credit report from TransUnion and Equifax at any time. You do not need to be enrolled in a credit monitoring service to request a copy of your credit report.
More resources to help you protect yourself
Canadian Anti Fraud Centre: Tips on how to protect yourself.
Privacy Commissioner of Canada: Information on protecting your privacy.
Government of Canada: Resources for fraud prevention from the RCMP and other contributors. Protect yourself from different types of fraud: Including online, identity, credit/debit card and real estate fraud.
Protect yourself from investment fraud. Learn how to spot investment scams.
Getcybersafe.ca: How to secure your accounts, devices and connections.
Credit report and score basics Canada.ca: Resources to help you understand your credit score.
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The content of this web page (including facts, views, opinions, recommendations, descriptions of or references to, products or securities) is not to be used or construed as investment advice, as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, or an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any entity or security cited. Although we endeavour to ensure its accuracy and completeness, we assume no responsibility for any reliance upon it.