Try the Phish Challenge for tips to help spot phishing scams.Do you think you can spot a phishing email? Test your skills with our Phish Challenge and learn more about how to help protect yourself from fraud. Learn more.
How you can protect yourself
Protecting your identity, along with your personal or business banking info is a joint effort. We’ll always go the extra mile to keep you safe, but you also have an important role to play.
Avoid scams by knowing how you can safely communicate with us.- Get additional security software to protect your devices.
- Arm yourself with knowledge by visiting our Learning Centre and reading our brochure about common scams (PDF 926 KB).
Know how we’ll contact you
Received a suspicious email, call or text saying it’s from BMO?
Here’s how you can know when it’s really us.
BMO Secure Email is a process that allows us to send you confidential information and lets you respond securely.
- All messages you send or receive through the BMO Secure Email process are encrypted to protect your privacy.
- You’ll only get encrypted emails from someone at BMO you’ve communicated with before.
Get email or text notifications from us whenever there is unusual activity on your account.
- Set up your BMO Alerts through online or mobile banking for free.
- Customize your alerts so you get just the info you need.
You’ll receive a verification code (one-time passcode) from us when we detect activity that isn’t typical for you and we want to check that it’s really you making the transaction.
- Get your verification code either by text, push notification, or automated voice call.
- Enter the code as instructed to show us it’s really you.
Having trouble with your verification code? No problem. Try entering that code again, and if it’s still not working, you can request a new code.
Important: BMO will never contact you via unsolicited phone call, email, text or social media message asking for sensitive information, passwords, PINs or verification codes (one-time passcodes). If you get a call, voicemail, email, text or social media message from someone claiming to be from BMO and you think it’s suspicious, do not share any personal information and contact us immediately using the information on the back of your card.
Additional security software for your devices
Protect yourself while you browse with IBM® Trusteer Rapport®
Avoid online fraud and malware on your desktop with IBM® Trusteer Rapport®. Be confident that you’re accessing secure websites and avoiding harmful ones that might put your device and personal info at risk.
Protect yourself against identity theft with OnGuard®
Safeguard your personal info from fraud with OnGuard® if you have a Performance or Premium chequing account. OnGuard® stores the details you want to be monitored online, then scans websites and alerts you if it finds your info on a site where it shouldn’t be.
Confirm your identity when you sign in: Interac® verification service
Verify your identity quickly and securely with the Interac® verification service. Sign up for new services and products by using your BMO info to help confirm who you are.
FAQs
An encrypted email can only be read by the intended recipient(s) using a unique key or password. So, if a scammer tries to access an encrypted email email you've exchanged with us, they wouldn't be able to read its content and use it fradulently, keeping your private info safe.
If we notice activity on your account that isn’t typical for you, we’ll send you a verification code to confirm it’s really you making the transaction. It’s an added security measure to prevent unauthorized activity on your account. If it is your transaction, enter the code as requested.
If you receive a code for a transaction you didn’t initiate, don’t ignore it! This could be an indication of fraud. Please call us right away at 1-877-765-1841.
Trusteer® protects your private info and devices by checking whether the website you’re using is legitimate. For example, if you’re trying to sign into online banking, Trusteer® can make sure you’re on the right B M O dot com website instead of a fake BMO site that’s pretending to be us.
Yes, but even more so when you have Trusteer® downloaded on your computer. The biggest benefit to Trusteer® is that you can access your account through online banking knowing that you are on the right B M O dot com website instead of some imposter site that’s pretending to be us.
If you need assistance with Trusteer®, please visit https://trusteer.com/support/
OnGuard®† helps customers detect identity theft sooner by making them aware of where and how their personal information is being used. OnGuard helps to guard against identity fraud both online and offline through:
- Online identity monitoring
- Financial identity monitoring
- Identity alerts
- Card cancellation and replacement concierge
- Identity restoration
OnGuard identity Protection is a complimentary service offered to eligible BMO customers with the Performance and Premium Plans.*74
BMO Digital Banking Security Guarantee
Your security is our priority and we work in partnership with you to keep your accounts safe. We will reimburse you for any eligible unauthorized transactions provided you have kept your account details secure, and you’ve met all other key responsibilities outlined in our Electronic Banking Services Agreement.