Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams

Phishing is the act of attempting to obtain sensitive data, such as login credentials, credit card details and other forms of personal data, generally with malicious intent. It can sound intimidating and frightening, and the impact of becoming a victim of phishing scams can be significant. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to protect yourself from these sorts of scams.

Examine the Content

Always be diligent in examining the content of any official-looking email that asks you to perform a particular action, such as logging in to a website or calling a “support” number. Emails that use generic greetings rather than your name or that contain numerous spelling and grammatical errors should be particularly suspect.

Check the Sender

Many phishing emails generally attempt to use official-looking names in the sender, but if you take a closer look at the sender information, you’ll often find unexpected or suspicious email addresses. Be especially wary of addresses from free services such as Gmail or Yahoo. Official businesses will not contact you using these types of email addresses.

Be Wary of Urgency

Be wary of any emails that attempt to incite a sense of urgency—especially if you have not previously heard anything about the issue. Phishing schemes often attempt to use fear and urgency to pressure you into taking an action that you would not normally undertake.

Suspect Requests for Sensitive Data

Always be wary of any request for sensitive data. Remember that your bank or credit card provider already has your account numbers. Credible online services already have your login information. They should never send you an email message that requests you to supply these.

Trust Your Doubt

If you have any doubt about the authenticity of an email, trust your instincts. Contact the company or institution that seems to have contacted you. Do not by reply directly to the suspicious message you received nor by using a phone number contained within it. Use known contact information or go directly to the company website for more information.

Not Just Email Phishing

While email scams are the most popular form of phishing, we also recommend that you be wary of any form of contact that requests sensitive information. Apply these same principals to all forms of contact, and be especially wary of unexpected requests for information over text message (SMS), social media, instant messaging services or over the phone.

Clicked on a link, attachment, or replied to an email?

• If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and provided login credentials, or opened any attachments within the message, you should change the password ASAP. You will need to change the login credentials for the real website that the phishing site is impersonating and any other account that you use those same login credentials (login account and password combination).
  • See below for how to change an Xplore provided account password
• If you replied to a message or completed an online form with any personal financial information, please inform your financial institution and they will assist you further
• You should also scan your device for any infections, ideally with two different anti-virus/anti-malware products

Change your password

• If you need to change your password for an Xplore provided email account (e.g., @xplore.net, @xplornet.com, @xplornet.ca, etc.)
  • Change your Xplore email password by logging in to your webmail account, MyXplore or by contacting us:
    • In webmail: See “How do I change my password?” at https://support.xplore.ca/s/article/About-Xplore-Webmail?language=en_US
    • In MyXplore: See “Change Email Password” at https://support.xplore.ca/s/article/About-MyXplore?language=en_US#Settings
• If you need to change your MyXplore account password:
  • Change your MyXplore password by logging in to your MyXplore.ca account or by calling 1-866-841-6001
    • In MyXplore: See “Manage Settings” at https://support.xplore.ca/s/article/About-MyXplore?language=en_US#Settings

Report Phishing

Report a suspicious message or phone call claiming to be from Xplore or sent from an Xplore email address

• Email messages can be reported to [email protected]. If possible, please send the message as an attachment or include the full header information
• Phone calls, text messages, social media or instant messaging can be reported via chat by logging into MyXplore.ca, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 1-866-841-6001

Report a suspicious message or phone call claiming to be someone other than Xplore:

• Please report it to that company or institution instead
• Do not by reply directly to the suspicious message you received nor by using a phone number contained within it.
• Only use known contact information or go directly to the company website for more information.