Canadians love online shopping. Why venture out into the cold when you can purchase the latest fashion, books and tech treats at the click of a button?
Internet shopping requires a relationship of trust between the buyer and the vendor – however, those trust levels are dwindling thanks to global cyberattacks and data breaches like that impacting
Equifax.
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It’s becoming harder and harder to stay safe online as cyber criminals and identity fraudsters become more tech savvy. But roughly 95% of data breaches are caused by phishing emails – a phenomenon that has been around for many years.
“Canadians are particularly savvy with internet shopping and they’re embracing the Internet of Things (IoT), but the country is behind slightly when it comes to awareness about identity theft and fraud,” said Paige Schaffer, president and COO of
Generali Global Assistance’s Identity and Digital Protection Services Global Unit.
“Awareness is increasing as Canada’s new data breach regulations continue to make the headlines. Previously, Canadian data breach laws were non-existent but when the Digital Privacy Act comes into effect it should make data protection top of mind. Huge events like the Equifax breach have also increased awareness in this area.”
Generali Global Assistance, a member of Generali Group, launched its
identity protection platform in Canada in June. The platform includes 24/7 identity protection expertise and online resources, detailed credit monitoring, alerts and resolution tools – all accessed through an online dashboard.
Customers have access to 24/7 multi-lingual resolution services, downloadable anti-phishing software that sends alerts over bogus emails and password protection software that scrambles passwords to dissuade hackers.
“Other organisations like credit companies and banks are offering advice and fraud alerts to consumers […] but they still have a limited knowledge of holistic identity protection services,” Schaffer told Insurance Business. “At Generali Global Assistance, we provide 360-degree identity protection so that a customer has peace of mind in knowing that they’ve got the best protection possible. After all, nothing is 100% guaranteed.
“It’s very easy to be dazzled by innovation, but if the product or platform isn’t really solving the problem of identity theft and it isn’t showing up on the radar of the consumer, then it’s no use. We are a B2B2C (business to business to consumer) company that tries to release products that are useful and of interest to the end customer.”
A study conducted by Generali Global Assistance just before news of the Equifax breach broke suggested that 68% of people said they will be buying identity theft protection in the next couple of years. In addition, 70% believe it has become harder to stay safe and secure online over the past five years.
“It’s a consistent trend in the US and it’s all about convenience. People don’t believe companies are protecting them appropriately but they’re still doing what they want online,” Schaffer commented. “We think people need to be protected from a phishing standpoint, they need identity monitoring on the dark web, and they need credit cover. Our identity theft platform offers all of that coupled with award-winning resolution services and a great team of experts.”
Related stories:
Generali arm now offers identity protection suite in Canada
Aviva Canada launches enhanced identity theft coverage
