HOLD THE LATTE AND BAG THE LUNCH! FINANCES ON THE MINDS OF CANADIANS FOR 2007
CapitalOnesurveyfindsmoneymanagementstrategiesincludefewerfrillsbutlackbigpicturecreditwisdom.Toronto,ON(January24,2007)–AnewsurveybyCapitalOneCanadashowsthatCanadianswillsacrificesomecreaturecomfortsinordertoimprovetheirfinancialsituationin2007.TheresultsshowthatCanadiansarewillingtoexercisefrugalityinthefollowingkeyareas:Themajority(65percent)ofCanadianssaytheywillbrownbagratherthanbuylunch.Fourinten(44percent)Canadianssaytheywillcutbackontheirlattes.TwentypercentofCanadianssaytheywillusepublictransportationratherthandrivetoworktosavemoneyongas.WhileitisclearthatCanadiansareinterestedinmanagingtheirmoneybetterin2007–anoverwhelmingmajority(82percent)saytheyplantocreateanduseabudgetthisyear–theresultsalsorevealinconsistenciesinapproachtofinancialfitnesswhichcouldtranslateintomoresavings.NearlyhalfofCanadians(46percent)saidtheydidnotstaywithintheirplannedbudgetsovertheholidays,leavingroomforimprovementinthenewyear.Despitethefactthat63percentsayinterestratesarethemostimportantfactorwhenchoosingacreditcard,only11percentplanonshoppingaroundforlowerratecreditcardsandtransferringbalances.
"ItisimportantforCanadianstobeinformedabouttheirfinancialchoicesandunderstandhowthedecisionstheymakeaffecttheiroverallfinancialhealth,"saysPamGirardoofCapitalOne."TheresultsofthissurveyshowthatwhileCanadiansarewillingtotakepositivestepstoimprovetheirpersonalfinancestheyareoverlookingthevaluethatcompetitivecreditoptionsplayinadvancingtheirgoalsandmeetingtheirfinancialneeds."
Astheyeargearsupandresolverunshigh,CapitalOneofferstipstohelpbuildcreditawareness:Reviewyourcreditreportatleastonceayearandknowyourcreditscore–Creditreportsareusedbylendersandotherssuchasemployersandlandlordstoassessrisk.Alowcreditscorecouldaffectyourfinancialoptionssinceitdepictsyourfinancialpicture.Shoparoundforcredit–Expertsagreethatcomparisonshoppingforcreditcardswillallowyoutofindthebestofferthatmeetsyourneedsandfityourfinanciallifestyle.Shoppingaroundforcreditisacriticalmoneymanagementtoolthatcantranslateintosubstantialsavings.TheFinancialConsumerAgencyofCanada(FCAC)offersausefulcreditcardcomparisontablewithinthe'CreditCardsandYou'sectionoftheirwebsiteasaresourceforconsumers:http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/eng/consumers/ITools/CreditCardsDevelopabudgetandsticktoit–Budgetshelporganizeyourfinancesandsetparametersonspending.Developing–andstickingto–abudgetisanimportantfirststepconsumerscantaketobettertheirfinancialhealth.
WhatwillCanadiansmissmostfrom2006?Onthelighterside,theCapitalOnesurveyalsofoundthatsomethingsfrom2006will–andwon't–bemissed.PoliticalshowdownsareafavouritewithCanadiansasone-third(34percent)lamentedtheendoftheLiberalleadershiprace.However,formercelebritycoupleBritneySpearsandKevinFederlinedidnotfaresowellwithCanadians;only16percentsaytheywouldmisstheduo.
OtherkeysurveyfindingsbyregionQuebecers(31percent)arelesslikelytocutbackontheirlattesthanresidentsfromanyotherprovinceBritishColumbians(15percent)arelesslikelytousepublictransportationtocapturesavingsongasthanQuebecers(23percent)AtlanticCanadians(16percent)arethemostwillingtoshoparoundforthebestcreditcardratewhileamassive82percentsaytheinterestrateistheirnumberoneconcerninselectingacreditcardThemajorityofAlbertans(72percent)willbrownbagratherthanbuytheirlunchThesearethefindingsofanIpsosReidpollconductedforCapitalOnewithIpsos-Reid'sonlinepanelfromJanuary3to5,2007.Forthesurvey,arepresentativerandomlyselectedsampleof1,336adultCanadianswasinterviewedonline.Marginoferroris±2.68percent.ThesampleusedinthisstudyhasbeenweightedaccordingtoCensusdatatoaccuratelyreflectthepopulationofCanadians.Withasampleofthissize,theaggregateresultsareconsideredaccuratetowithin±2.68percentagepoints,19timesoutof20,ofwhattheywouldhavebeenhadthisentirepopulationbeenpolled.Themarginoferrorwillbelargerwithineachsub-groupingofthesurveypopulation.
AboutCapitalOneLocatedinToronto,Ontario,CapitalOnehasofferedCanadianconsumersarangeofcompetitiveMasterCard creditcardssince1996,whenthecompanyfirstintroducedthePlatinumMasterCard inCanada.CapitalOneCanadaisadivisionofCapitalOneBank,asubsidiaryofCapitalOne,N.A.ofMcLean,Virginia(NYSE:COF).
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CANADIANS SHRED TOGETHER TO FIGHT IDENTITY THEFT AND FRAUD
CapitalOneandShred-itteamupforsecondannualNationalCanadianCommunityShred eventtoencourageactionandawarenessonagrowingthreat.Toronto,ON(March29,2007)–CapitalOneandShred-itaremarkingtheendofFraudPreventionMonthbyholdingthesecondannualNationalCanadianCommunityShred onSaturday,March31from10:00AMto2:00PM(localtime)throughoutthecountry.Securelyshreddingpersonalinformationisakeystepindividualscantaketopreventbecomingvictimsofidentitytheft.Withnearly30localshredeventsinmorethan20cities,CapitalOneandShred-itarecommittedtoeducatingCanadiansaboutfraudandidentitytheftandhopetoempowerthemthroughawareness.ConsumersareencouragedtobringalltheunwantedpersonaldocumentstheycancarryforfreeshreddingbyShred-itandgettipsandresourcesonhowtoguardagainstthesecrimes.ConsumerparticipationintheCommunityShred eventwillalsobenefitSeniorBusters–anorganizationthatofferssupporttoolderCanadiansaboutfraudandidentitytheft–throughadonationfromCapitalOnebasedonthetotalamountofdocumentsshreddedateventsnationwide.
"Shred-it,aSecuritcompany,isinthebusinessofinformationsecurity.Todaymorethanever,companiesandindividualshavetomakesuretheirvitalinformationisprotected,"saysGregBrophy,CEOandPresidentofSecurit."WearepleasedtosendourshreddingtrucksintothecommunitytoprovideCanadianswithfreeaccesstothebestinsecuredocumentdestruction."
"Thebestwaytofightfraudistomobilizeandeducatetheentirecommunitysothatcriminalsknowtheyarenotwelcome,"saysBillCilluffo,PresidentofCapitalOneCanada."CapitalOneiscommittedtoeducatingthepubliconthesafeandresponsibleuseofcredit,andweareproudtobepartofthiscommunityevent."
IdentitytheftisthefastestgrowingformofconsumerfraudinNorthAmerica.From2002-2006therewere54,920identitytheftvictimsreportedtoPhoneBusters–theCanadianAnti-FraudCallCentre–totalling$77.4millioninlosses.Thesefiguresrepresentanaverageof10,984victimsperyear.
The2006CommunityShred eventattractedthousandsofCanadianswhobroughtmorethan75,000kilograms(166,022lbs)ofdocumentstobesecurelyshreddedandrecycledbyShred-it.Thisyear'seventisprojectedtobeevenbiggerwithmorelocationsandpublicparticipation.
Nickel-a-KiloChallengeRaisesMoneyforSeniorBustersAddingtothepublicbenefitsofthe2007event,CapitalOneisdonatinganickelforeverykiloofdocumentsshreddedtoSeniorBusters.SeniorBustersisanallvolunteergroupofseniorsthatlendtheirtimeandsupporttoPhoneBustersbycounsellingseniorvictimsofidentitytheft/fraudthroughoutNorthAmericaandhelpingraiseawarenessamongavulnerablegroupofthepopulationthataresooftenthetargetofcriminals.
AboutCapitalOneLocatedinToronto,Ontario,CapitalOnehasofferedCanadianconsumersarangeofcompetitiveMasterCard creditcardssince1996,whenthecompanyfirstintroducedthePlatinumMasterCard inCanada.CapitalOneCanadaisadivisionofCapitalOneBank,asubsidiaryofCapitalOneFinancialCorporationofMcLean,Virginia(NYSE:COF).
AboutSecuritSecuritistheworld'sleadinginformationsecuritycompany;aninternationalsuccessstorywithanetworkofmorethan140branchesand2,600employeesserving150,000customersin16countries.Securitprovidesintegratedinformationsecuritysolutionsthatmanageandmitigateriskforourclients.SecuritRecordsManagement,SecuritDataProtection,andShred-itDocumentDestructionareSecuritcompanies.Formoreinformationpleasevisitwww.securit.com.
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THE 2007 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SHRED EVENT PROVES POPULAR WITH CANADIANS WHO GIVE AHAND TO SENIOR VICTIMS OF FRAUD
Thenickel-a-kiloachallengehelpsgeneratea$15,000donationtoSeniorBustersfromCapitalOne.Toronto,ON(April12,2007)–TheNationalCommunityShred eventmarkedtheendofFraudPreventionMonthbyputtingthefocusonidentitytheftandfraudinnearly30communitiesacrossthecountry.Theresponsetothe2007NationalCanadianCommunityShred wasoverwhelming,seeinga54percentincreaseintheamountofdocumentssafelydestroyedandlaterrecycledinShred-it'sstate-of-the-artmobileshreddingtrucks.CapitalOneandShred-itarebothcommittedtohelpingCanadiansfightfraudandidentitytheftandthiseventachievedthatgoalbypromotingactionandawarenessontheseissues.
"TheNationalCommunityShred eventisanidealopportunityforCanadianstogetridofsensitivedocumentsasitisakeystepindividualscantaketoavoidbecomingvictimsoffraudandidentitytheft,"saysGregBrophy,PresidentandCEOofSecurit."EveryoneontheShred-itteamisproudtohaveofferedthisimportantfreeservicetomembersofthecommunitieswherewedobusiness."
CapitalOneisalsopleasedtoannouncethatthecompanywillbedonating$15,000toSeniorBusters,avolunteergroupofolder,mainlyretiredCanadiansthatlendtheirtimeandsupporttoPhoneBusters–theCanadianAnti-FraudCallCentre.Theycounselseniorvictimsofidentitytheft/fraudthroughoutNorthAmerica,recognizingthatfraudartiststargetseniorsmorethanperhapsanyothergroup.ThedonationrepresentsanickelforeverykilogramofdocumentsbroughtinbyCanadiansforshreddingatlastweekend'sevent,asumCapitalOneispleasedtohavetoppedofftoreachthe$15,000mark.
"CapitalOneisproudtoofferthisdonationtoSeniorBustersonbehalfoftheCanadianpublicwhoseparticipationintheNationalCommunityShred helpedsupportseniorvictimsoffraudandidentitytheft,"saysBillCilluffo,PresidentofCapitalOneCanada,"CapitalOneiscommittedtoprovidingCanadiansinallstagesoflifewithtoolsandresourcestostrengthenawarenessonissuesrelatingtopersonalfinanceandfraudprevention."
Seniorsaretargetsofscamartistsbecausetheygenerallyhaveassetsandaremoretrusting.AccordingtoPhoneBusters,in2006Canadiansovertheageof60represented40percentofthetotaldollarlossthroughtelemarketingprizeandlotteryscams.
"WearegratefultoCapitalOneforthisdonationandforhelpingfocusattentionontheissueofelderfraudaspartofthisevent,"saysCarolGilmour,SeniorBustersCoordinator."SeniorBusterswascreatedinresponsetothehighincidenceoftelemarketingfraudamongolderCanadiansandtherecognitionthatseniorcitizensrequiremoretimeandsupportfromstafftorecoverfromlosses.Seniorvictimsareabletorelatetoourvolunteersandwiththattrustareabletomoveforwardwiththeirclaimswhilegrowinginawareness."
CapitalOneoffersthefollowingtipsforseniorstohelpguardagainstidentitytheftandfraud:Don'tbeafraidtosay'no.'Youdonothavetospeaktotelemarketers–hangupifyoufeeluncomfortableordonottrustthecaller.Don'tgiveintohigh-pressuresalestactics.Don'trevealyourcreditcard,bankaccountorSocialInsurancenumberstounfamiliarcompaniesorpeople.Doyourownresearchoncharitiesandothersolicitors.Itisyourmoney–neverbeafraidtoaskwhereitisgoing.Getdetailsofalldealsinwriting.Ifitsoundstoogoodtobetrue,itprobablyis.
AboutCapitalOneLocatedinToronto,Ontario,CapitalOne®hasofferedCanadianconsumersarangeofcompetitiveMasterCard creditcardssince1996,whenthecompanyfirstintroducedthePlatinumMasterCard inCanada.CapitalOne CanadaisadivisionofCapitalOneBank,asubsidiaryofCapitalOneFinancialCorporationofMcLean,Virginia(NYSE:COF).
AboutSecuritSecurit isaworldleadinginformationsecuritycompany;aninternationalsuccessstorywithanetworkofmorethan140branchesand2,600employeesserving150,000customersin16countries.Securitprovidesintegratedinformationsecuritysolutionsthatmanageandmitigateriskforourclients.SecuritRecordsManagement,SecuritDataProtection,andShred-itDocumentDestructionareSecuritcompanies.Formoreinformationpleasevisitwww.securit.com.
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FINANCIAL SPRING CLEANING? CANADIANS WOULD RATHER CLEAN THE GARAGE
ButwhenitcomestotheircreditcardsCanadiansknowwhattheywant:alowrate,andnogiveawaysorlimitedtimeoffers.Toronto,ON(May16,2007)–AccordingtoanewnationalsurveybyCapitalOneCanada,nowthattaxseasonisovermanyCanadiansdonotwanttothinkabouttheirfinancialsituation.Morethanone-third(39percent)wanttoforgetaboutfinancesuntiltax-timenextyear,and41percentwouldrathercleanoutthebasementorgaragethanthinkabouttheirfinances.Overlookingsomeopportunitiestosaveintheyearahead,only29percentofCanadianssaidtheywouldreviewtheircreditcardstomakesuretheyaregettingthebestdealoninterestratesandfeesby"springcleaning"theirfinances.Albertansaremorelikelytotakeahardlookatcreditoptions(32percent)whileQuebecersareleastlikely(20percent).
"ItisimportantforCanadianstounderstandtheircreditoptionsandtakecontroloftheirfinances,"saysPamGirardoofCapitalOne."Withtaxseasonover,springisagoodtimeforpeopletoevaluatetheirpositionandmakebetterchoiceswiththeirmoney,"addsMs.Girardo,"thisincludesshoppingaroundformorecompetitivecreditoffers,suchasCapitalOne'sPrime+1cardthatoffersCanada'slowestlong-terminterestrateonpurchases."
Thesurveyalsoshowsthatwhenitcomestocreditcardinterestrates,frillsarenotthemainappeal;Canadianswantsomethingtheycancounton.Eighty-twopercentprefercardsthatofferonelow-rate,andnogiveawaysortime-limitedoffersoninterestrates.Only16percentofCanadiansareattractedtoofferswithaprizeorgiveawayandevenfewer(2percent)areinterestedinofferswithatime-limitedlowintroductoryrate.CapitalOne'sPrime+1PlatinumMasterCard®answerstheneedsofthemarketandtakestheguessworkoutofratesbecauseit'stiedtotheCanadianPrimeRate(likeaLineofCredit).AtPrime+1percent,CapitalOne'scardoffersCanada'slowestlong-termpurchaserate(currently7percent),withnoannualfeeandnobalancetransferfee.
Othersurveyfindingsofferinsightsintoconsumers'money-managementstrategiesandtheirexpectationsforthespringandsummermonths.
Canadiansunderstandthatbudgetingisimportant,butextracashwouldburnaholeintheirwallets.Morethantwo-thirdsofCanadians(69percent)saytheyuseandsticktoabudget.Othertopmoney-savingstrategiesinclude:26percentbuyinbulkandsaytheyare"addictedtoCostco";17percentsaytheylookfor"freebies"suchassamplesandmealsatworkorotherfunctions,Ontarioisthemostfreebie-orientedprovincewith21percentemployingthisstrategy;and4percentofCanadianssaythey"mooch"offfriendsandfamily.
Despitethefocusonsavingmoney,giventheopportunitymanyCanadianswouldspendmoney.Whenaskedwhattheywoulddowith$100ormoreintheirpockets:44percentofCanadianssaidtheywouldhavefunandsplurgeonthemselves;26percentsaidtheywouldputthemoneytowardtheirsummervacation;whilejustoverone-third(34percent)wouldsaveorinvestthemoney.Only11percentwoulddonateaportionofthemoneytocharity,whereBritishColumbia(15percent)rankedamongthemostcharitableprovincesalongwithOntario(14percent).
Canadianscountonpoliticalchatterand"mentalhealthdays"forthespringandsummerWhenaskedwhattheycouldcountonthisspringandsummer,74percentofCanadianslookedforwardtomorechatterandspeculationaboutafederalelection,while14percentthinktheywillcallin'sick'toworkmorefrequentlyastheweatherimproves.Quebecersaremostlikelytoconsidercallinginsick(30percent)followedbyOntarians(12percent)andAlbertans(11percent).AsCanadiansgearupforthesummerandhatchtheirtravelplans,theycanalsocountonCapitalOne'sPrime+1PlatinumMastercard toprovideawisecreditchoicethatoffersconsumersaninterestratetiedtothePrimeRateandtheconfidencethattheirinterestratewillbelow.
SurveyMethodologyThesearethefindingsofanIpsosReidpollconductedforCapitalOnewithIpsos-Reid'sonlinepanelfromMay1toMay4,2007.Forthesurvey,arepresentativerandomlyselectedsampleof1,317adultCanadianswasinterviewedonline.ThesampleusedinthisstudyhasbeenweightedaccordingtoCensusdatatoaccuratelyreflectthepopulationofCanadians.Withasampleofthissize,theaggregateresultsareconsideredaccuratetowithin±2.7percentagepoints,19timesoutof20,ofwhattheywouldhavebeenhadthisentirepopulationbeenpolled.
AboutCapitalOneLocatedinToronto,Ontario,CapitalOnehasofferedCanadianconsumersarangeofcompetitiveMasterCard creditcardssince1996,whenthecompanyfirstintroducedthePlatinumMasterCard inCanada.CapitalOneCanadaisadivisionofCapitalOneBank,asubsidiaryofCapitalOne,N.A.ofMcLean,Virginia(NYSE:COF).
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CANADIANS SCORE LOW ON FINANCIAL BASICS: NEW STUDY
CreditCanadaannouncesfirstever'CreditEducationWeekCanada'tobuildfinancialawarenessandincreaseCanadians'financialIQ.Toronto,ON(September12,2007)–Canadiansreportfeelingmoreindebtthaneverwith90%sayingtheyhavemoredebttodaythanfiveyearsago,accordingtoarecentstudysponsoredbyCreditCanada.Despitethisfeelingofindebtedness,overhalfofCanadians(53%)stilldonothaveapersonal/householdbudget.Furthermore,theyremainunawareofcriticalinformationandtoolsthatareavailabletohelpthemmanagethatdebt.Forinstance,thesurveyresultsshowedthatalargemajority(80%)donotknowtheircreditrating(orcreditscore),leavingtheminthedarkaboutakeyfactorinthecostoftheirdebt.
"Acreditscorecanbeoneofthemostsignificantnumbersinconsumers'lives.Oursurveyfindingssubstantiatetheneedforgreatereducationonkeypersonalfinanceissuesincludingcredit,savings,andretirementplanning,"saysLaurieCampbellfromCreditCanada."ItiscriticalforCanadianstohavetheknowledgeandcapacitytoeffectivelymanagetheirfinancestodayinordertoplanforandbuildastrongerfuture."
Thesurveyfindingsalsohighlightothersignificantgapsinpublicawarenessandbehaviourwhenitcomestopersonalfinance.Forexample,one-quarter(26percent)ofCanadiansdonotconsidertheconsequencesofarisinginterestratewhenborrowingmoney.
TakentogetherthesegapsmeanmanyCanadianslacktheknowledgetoeffectivelymanagetheirfinances,asituationthatcouldbetakingmoneyoutoftheirpockets.TosharpentheCanadianfinancialIQ,CreditCanadaandCapitalOneareteaminguptoco-sponsorthefirsteverCreditEducationWeekCanadathatwilltakeplaceNovember13-16ofthisyear.
"Understandingthebasicsofcreditandpersonalfinancecanhaveatremendousimpactyourfinancialwell-being,bothtodayandinthefuture,"saidBillCilluffo,presidentofCapitalOneCanada."CapitalOneiscommittedtobuildingawarenessonallissuesrelatedtopersonalfinanceandweareproudtopartnerwithCreditCanada,andwehopeCanadianswilltakeadvantageofCreditEducationWeekeventsandresourcestobuildtheircreditwisdom."
AboutCreditEducationWeekCreditEducationWeekisanationaleventsupportedbyleadersinfinancialservices,consumeradvocates,communityorganizationsandgovernment.Thegoalofthisinitiativeistoempowerthepublictomakewisefinancialchoicesbyplacingtoolsandresourcesattheirfingertipsthroughfreeeventsthatwilladdresskeytopicsinallstagesoffinanciallife.
ThecalendarofeventsforCreditEducationWeekCanadaincludes:Nationalessaycontestaimedatgrade-twelvestudentswhowillanswerhowtheyplanonfinancingtheirpost-secondaryeducation.Winnerswillreceivescholarshipawards.UniversityCampusfairsfeaturingpresentationsbyJamesCunninghamof"FunnyMoney"UniversityofToronto,HartHouse,Toronto-November13,10:00amto4:00pmYorkUniversity,Underground,Toronto-November14,10:00amto4:00pmCreditEducationTradeShowfeaturingseminarsledbynotedauthors,expertsandgovernmentagenciesontopicsincluding:youthandmoney,identitytheft/fraud,retirementplanning,savingsandinvestment.FourSeasonsHotel,Toronto-November15,10:00amto4:00pmGalaDinnerfeaturingStephenLewis,FourSeasonsHotel,Toronto-November15,5:30pmto8:30pmFormoreinformationandupdatespleasevisit www.crediteducationweekcanada.com.
SurveyMethodologyThesearesomeofthefindingsfromaTorqueMarketIntelligencepollconductedonbehalfofCreditCanada.TheonlinesurveywaslaunchedonMay24,2007,withthefinalresultssubmittedonJune26,2007.Itisbasedonarandomlyselectedsampleof4,487adultCanadians.Themarginoferroris±1.46percentagepoints(19outof20).
AboutCreditCanadaCreditCanadaisanon-profitcharitableservicethathasassistedthousandsofpeoplewithcreditcounsellinganddebtmanagementprogramssince1966.CreditCanadaisaCharterMemberofCreditCounsellingCanada,theOntarioAssociationofCreditCounsellingServicesandaffiliatedwiththeNationalFoundationforConsumerCredit(NFCC).
AboutCapitalOneLocatedinToronto,Ontario,CapitalOnehasofferedCanadianconsumersarangeofcompetitiveMasterCard creditcardssince1996,whenthecompanyfirstintroducedthePlatinumMasterCard inCanada.CapitalOneCanadaisadivisionofCapitalOneBank,asubsidiaryofCapitalOne,N.A.ofMcLean,Virginia(NYSE:COF).
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CAPITAL ONE CANADA LAUNCHES NEW NO HASSLE REWARDS CARD WITH NO ANNUAL FEE
AnewsurveyrevealsthatCanadiansarefrustratedwithrewardsprogramhassles.Toronto,ON(September24,2007)–DemonstratingitsabilitytodeliverwhatCanadianconsumers'want,todayCapitalOneCanadaannouncedthearrivalofitsnewNoHassleRewardsCardthatoffersrichrewardswithnoannualfee.Thenewcardoffersawiderangeofrewardoptions,fromcashbacktotravel,thatareeasytoearn,easytoredeemandneverexpire.
AccordingtoanewnationalsurveybyCapitalOneCanada,itisabouttime.ThesurveyrevealedthatCanadiansarefrustratedwiththefees,hasslesandrestrictionsimposedbyrewardprograms.Forty-twopercentofCanadianssaidthattheywerebotheredbyannualfeeswhile42percentfoundexpirydatesofrewardpointsannoying.Furthermore,four-in-tenCanadians(40percent)saidtheyfindtheprocesstoredeemrewardstoocomplicated.Overall,onlyonein10Canadianssaidthattheyhadnothingtocomplainaboutwiththeircurrentrewardsprogram.
"RewardsprogramshavebecomeincreasinglycomplexandthefactthatsofewCanadiansarehappywiththeircurrentrewardscardsaysthatthereisalotofroomforimprovement,"saysBillCilluffo,President,CapitalOneCanada."CapitalOneislisteningandweareproudtoofferCanadiansarewardscardwithnoannualfeeandnohassles,"Cilluffoadded.
Manyconsumersdon'trealizethatpayinganannualfeecanlimitthebenefitsofarewardprogram.It'simportanttounderstandhowmanypointsyou'llhavetoearntorecoupthecostoftheannualfee,andassessthatagainstyourspendingpatterns.
WhileCanadiansmaynotbesurehowannualfeesaffecttheirrewards,somearelookingformorechoiceintherewardstheyearn.Infact,giventheoption,thosesurveyedsaidthey'dprefertohavemorethanonetypeofrewardavailablethroughtheircard.Morethanhalf(53percent)saidtheywouldpreferarewardthatputscashbackintheirpockets,26percentsaidtheywouldlikegiftcertificatesand24percentwouldalsobehappywithmerchandise.AnotheroneinthreeCanadians(39percent)saidtheywouldprefertravelrewards,withEurope/CentralAsiabeingthepreferredtraveldestinationifafreetripwasearned(30percent).
ThedesignoftheCapitalOneNoHassleRewardsCardeliminatescommonhasslesassociatedwithredeemingrewards,whichincludetravel,cash,merchandiseorgiftcertificates.CustomersredeemingfortravelsimplypurchasetheirticketusingtheirCapitalOneNoHassleRewardsCard,thencallCapitalOne(orgotowww.capitalone.ca/nohasslerewards)toreimbursethechargewithrewardmiles.Thecostoftheticketisrefundedonthenextstatement.Thenumberofrewardsrequiredisbasedonticketprice.
"Weunderstandthatthere'snotmuchpointinaccumulatingrewardsthatyoucan'tuse,"saysCilluffo."Thiscardprovidesourcustomerswithmoreflexibility,allowingthemtoshoparoundfortheirowntickets(bookingthroughatravelagent,onlinetravelsites,directlythroughanairline,etc.).Thismeanscustomerscantakeadvantageofdiscountairfaresthatrequirefewermilesfortickets.Plus,therearenoblackoutdates,expirydates,hiddenredemptionfeesorlimitstotherewardsthatcanbeearned."
TheCapitalOneNoHassleRewardsCardoffersthefollowingfeaturestoitscustomers:NoannualfeeandnoredemptionfeesTaxesincludedinthetotalpriceoftheticketarepaidforwithrewardmilesEarnonerewardmileforeverydollarspentOne-time"welcome"bonusof5,000mileswithfirstpurchaseRedeemrewardmilesfortravel,cash,merchandiseorgiftcertificatesNolimitontherewardsyoucanearnNoexpirationonrewardsforthelifeofyouraccountNoblackoutdatesorseatrestrictions–flyonanyairline,anytimeNoSaturdaystayrequiredandnoadvancebookingrequirementsFormoreinformationaboutthenewNoHassleRewardsCard,visit www.capitalone.ca.
SurveyMethodologyThesearethefindingsofanIpsosReidpollconductedforCapitalOnewithIpsos-Reid'sonlinepanelfromAugust28thtoAugust30th,2007.Forthesurvey,arepresentativerandomlyselectedsampleof1,002adultCanadianswasinterviewedonline.ThesampleusedinthisstudyhasbeenweightedaccordingtoCensusdatatoaccuratelyreflectthepopulationofCanadians.Withasampleofthissize,theaggregateresultsareconsideredaccuratetowithin±3.1percentagepoints,19timesoutof20,ofwhattheywouldhavebeenhadthisentirepopulationbeenpolled.
AboutCapitalOneLocatedinToronto,Ontario,CapitalOnehasofferedCanadianconsumersarangeofcompetitiveMasterCard creditcardssince1996,whenthecompanyfirstintroducedthePlatinumMasterCard inCanada.CapitalOneCanadaisadivisionofCapitalOneBank,asubsidiaryofCapitalOne,N.A.ofMcLean,Virginia(NYSE:COF).
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STUDY REVEALS CANADIANS ARE LIVING OUTSIDE THEIR FINANCIAL MEANS
CreditCanadaandCapitalOneCanadapresentCreditEducationWeektoimproveCanadians'financialfitness.Toronto,ON(October24th,2007)-Canada'sfirsteverCreditEducationWeek,presentedbyCreditCanadaandCapitalOneCanada,willtakeplacefromNovember13thtoNovember16thacrossthecountry.ThegoalofthiseventistoempowerallCanadians,regardlessofageandincomelevel,tomakebetterfinancialdecisions.FromarecentstudyconductedbyCreditCanada,itisabouttime.
ThestudyshowsthattheextentofCanadiandebtistroubling.MorethanhalfofallCanadians(55%)admittohavingmoreexpensesthanincomeatleastonemonthayear.ThatmeansthatthemajorityofCanadiansareatriskofbeinginalong-termfinancialbindastheytrytoplaycatch-upinthemonthsthatfollow.Infact,14percentsaythattheirexpensesaregreaterthantheirincomeforsixmonths,andsixpercentsaythatthisisthecasefor12monthsoftheyear.
Despitethisreality,onlysevenpercentofCanadiansthinkitmakesmoresensetocarrymoredebtthantheydidfiveyearsago.
"ThereisnodoubtthatmanyCanadiansneedmoreinformationandeducationaboutfinancialmanagementandusingcreditwisely,"saysLaurieCampbell,ExecutiveDirectorofCreditCanada."ItisbecomingmoreevidentthatmanyCanadianssimplydonotknow,ordon'tfollow,thegoldenruleoffinancialmanagement–donotspendmorethanyouearn."
AboutCreditEducationWeekCreditEducationWeekisanationaleventpresentedbyCreditCanadaandCapitalOneCanada.Itisalsosupportedbyleadersinfinancialservices,consumeradvocacy,communityorganizationsandgovernmentsacrossthecountry.ThegoalofthisinitiativeistohelpCanadiansimprovetheirfinancialmanagementskillsbyprovidingfreefinancialtools,resources,andadvicethroughouttheweek.
"CapitalOneisproudtobeinvolvedinCreditEducationWeekaspartofourlong-termcommitmenttofinancialandcrediteducationinCanada,"statesBillCilluffo,presidentofCapitalOneCanada."Thiseventisagreatstartasitnotonlybuildsawarenessabouttheimportanceofmanagingyourmoneywisely,butalsoprovideseasyaccesstoinformationandpracticaltips."
CreditEducationWeekwillbeheldfromNovember13thtoNovember16th.Thecalendarofactivitiesleadinguptoandduringtheweekincludes:ANationalEssayContestaimedatgrade-twelvestudentswhowillanswerhowtheyplanonfinancingtheirpost-secondaryeducation.ThecontestrunsfromSeptember14toOctober26,2007.Winnerswillreceivescholarshipawards.UniversityCampusFairsfeaturingpresentationsbyJamesCunninghamof"FunnyMoney"UniversityofToronto,HartHouse,Toronto-November13,10:00amto4:30pmYorkUniversityUnderground,Toronto-November14,10:00amto4:30pmCreditEducationTradeShowfeaturingseminarsledbynotedauthors,expertsandgovernmentagenciesontopicsincluding:youthandmoney,identitytheft/fraud,retirementplanning,savingsandinvestment.FourSeasonsHotel,Toronto-November15,10:00amto4:30pmGalaDinnerfeaturingStephenLewis,FourSeasonsHotel,Toronto-November15,5:30pmto8:30pmThereisawealthofinformationaswellasfreetoolsandresourcesthatcanbeaccessedatwww.crediteducationweekcanada.com.AlltheresultsofthefinancialsurveyconductedbyCreditCanadawillbereleasedonthefirstdayofCreditEducationWeek,November13,2007.
MoneyManagementTipsTohelpyoustayfiscallyfit,CapitalOneandCreditCanadahavethefollowingadvice.Developabudgetandsticktoit–Abudgetisanimportantfirststeptosuccessfulfinancialmanagement.Itwillhelpyoutoorganizeyourfinancesandsetparametersonyourspending.Keeptrackofyourdailypurchases–Knowingwhatyouspendeverydaywillhelpyoustaywithinyourbudgetlimits.Knowyourcreditscoreandreviewitatleastonceayear.Thisscoreisusedbylenders,landlordsandpotentialemployerstoassessyourfinancialintegrity.ObtainacopyofyourcreditscoreforaminimalfeebycontactingTransUnion(www.transunion.ca)orEquifax(www.equifax.ca).Paymorethantheminimumdue–Trytopaymorethantheminimumbalancedueonyourcreditcardbilleverymonth.Makeyourpaymentsontime–Paycloseattentiontotheduedateforyourpaymentssinceahistoryoflatepaymentswillaffectyourcreditscore.Shoparoundtofindthecreditcardthatbestmeetsyourfinancialneeds–Comparisonshoppingcansaveyoumoneyintheandmayevenprovideyouwithvaluablerewards.TheFinancialConsumerAgencyofCanada(FCAC)offersausefulcreditcardcomparisontablewithinthe'CreditCardsandYou'sectionoftheirWebsiteasaresourceforconsumers.
DoNOT...Getintothehabitofmakingonlythe'minimumpayment'dueonyourcreditbalanceeverymonthBorrowmoneytopayoffanotherdebtorloanObtainanewcreditcardtopayoffanoldoneDipintoyoursavingstocovereverydayexpenses(Source:CapitalOneCanadaandCreditCanada.Formoretipsandadvice,visitwww.crediteducationweekcanada.com)
SurveyMethodologyThesearesomeofthefindingsfromaTorqueMarketIntelligencepollconductedonbehalfofCreditCanada.TheonlinesurveywaslaunchedonMay24,2007,withthefinalresultssubmittedonJune26,2007.Itisbasedonarandomlyselectedsampleof4,487adultCanadians.Themarginoferroris±1.46percentagepoints(19outof20).
AboutCreditCanadaCreditCanadaisanon-profitcharitableservicethathasassistedthousandsofpeoplewithcreditcounsellinganddebtmanagementprogramssince1966.CreditCanadaisamemberoftheOntarioAssociationofCreditCounsellingServicesandaCharterMemberofCreditCounsellingCanada.
AboutCapitalOneLocatedinToronto,Ontario,CapitalOnehasofferedCanadianconsumersarangeofcompetitiveMasterCard®creditcardssince1996,whenthecompanyfirstintroducedthePlatinumMasterCard®inCanada.CapitalOneCanadaisadivisionofCapitalOneBank,asubsidiaryofCapitalOne,N.A.ofMcLean,Virginia(NYSE:COF)
ContactLaurieCampbell,[email protected]
CAPITAL ONE GAINS TITLE SPONSORSHIP OF GRAND SLAM OF CURLING SERIESToronto,ON(November6,2007)–InsightSportsLtd.announcedtodaythatCapitalOne,N.A.hasbeenawardedtitlesponsorshipoftheGrandSlamofCurlingseriesinamulti-yearagreement.Astheproperty'stitlesponsor,Canada'spremier"bestonbest"curlingserieshasbeenrenamedtheCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurling.
"CurlingoccupiesauniqueplaceintheCanadianspirit,asasportitupholdsatraditionofskill,strategyandsportsmanship.We'rehonouredtoplayaroleincontinuingthesport'slegacy,"saidIanCunningham,ChiefOperatingOfficer,CapitalOneCanada."Thisisourfirstmajorsportingsponsorshiphere,andit'sonlyfittingthatitconnectsuswithoneofournation'smostpopularanddistinctivesports."
InadditiontoacquiringthetitlesponsorshiptotheGrandSlamofCurling,CapitalOne'spartnershipincludesthedevelopmentoftheCapitalOneSchoolofRockcommunityprogram.HeldinconjunctionwitheachindividualCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurlingevent,theCapitalOneSchoolofRockisaninteractivegrassrootsclinicdesignedtogivelocalstudentstheopportunitytoreceiveexperttipsandadvicefromCanada'stopplayers.
"Asanorganizationthatiscommittedtosupporting,developingandpromotingthesportofcurlingthroughoutCanada,CapitalOneisanidealpartnerfortheGrandSlamofCurling,"saidKevinAlbrecht,PresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficer,InsightSportsLtd."TogetherwithCapitalOne,InsightSportsiscommittedtoworkingwithWorldCurlingTourandtheentireCanadiancurlingcommunitytogrowtheCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurlingseriesintooneofthemust-attendeventsonthenationalsportscalendar."
Heldannuallysince2001-02,theCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurlingisaseriesofeightpremiermen'sandwomen'seventsthatfeatureCanada'sdeepestandstrongestcurlingfields.
AmongthetopCanadianmen'sandwomen'sskipswhowillcompeteintheCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurlingeventsincludesCanada'sall-timeleaderinGrandSlamvictories,KevinMartin;four-timeWorldChampionRandyFerbey;two-timeWorldChampionColleenJones;OlympicgoldmedallistBradGushue;OlympicbronzemedallistShannonKleibrink;reigningWorldChampionGlennHoward;andtwo-timeTylenolPlayers'ChampionJenniferJones.
TheCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurlingeventsarecloselytiedtotheCanadianCurlingAssociation'squalifyingprocessforthe2010OlympicWinterGamesinVancouver.ThroughtheirperformanceintheGrandSlamevents,rinkscanearnasignificantamountofpointstowardssecuringaberthatthe2009CanadianTrials.
"WiththerecentsuccessofCanadaontheinternationalstage,thegrowthandpopularityofcurlinginCanadaisarguablyatanall-timehigh,"saidPaulBoutilier,PresidentoftheWorldCurlingPlayersAssociationandExecutiveDirectoroftheWorldCurlingTour."CapitalOnehasasolidhistoryofsupportingworld-classsportingeventsandweareelatedwiththeircommitmenttothispremierCanadiansportproperty."
In2007-08,CBCSportswillonceagainserveastheofficialtelevisionbroadcasteroftheCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurling.Aspartofitsexclusiveagreement,CBCSportswillcarrylivecoverageofthesemi-finalsandfinalsofthefirstthreeCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurlingmen'sevents.CBCSportswillalsobroadcastthemen'sandwomen'sfinalsoftheTylenolPlayers'Championship,theeighthandfinalCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurlingevent.CompletedetailsaroundCBC'sbroadcastsandthefullbroadcastscheduleforthecomingseasonareavailableatwww.cbcsports.ca.
The2007-08men'sCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurlingserieskicksoffwiththeBDOClassicCanadianOpeninQuebecCityfromNovember28toDecember2.ThesecondlegwilltakeplacefromDecember20to23whenPortHawkesbury,NovaScotiahostsTheNational.Saskatoonwillhostthethirdleg,theMastersofCurling,fromJanuary23to27.
The2007-08women'sCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurlingseriesbeganwithJenniferJonescapturingtheTrailAppliancesAutumnGoldeventinCalgaryonOctober9andShannonKleibrinkwinningtheCasinosofWinnipegtournamentonOctober22.Theseries'thirdandfourthlegsincludetheWaydenTransportationLadiesClassiceventfromNovember16to19inAbbotsford,B.C.andtheSobeysSlaminNewGlasgow,NovaScotiafromNovember29toDecember2.
ThedatesandlocationfortheTylenolPlayers'Championship,ajointmen'sandwomen'sCapitalOneGrandSlamofCurlingevent,willbeannouncedinthecomingweeks.
AboutInsightSportsLtd.InsightSportsLtd.isaleadingsportsmediaandentertainmentcompanywhichcreatesanddistributessportsandentertainmentcontentacrossmultipleplatforms,includingbroadcasttelevision,DVD,on-line,mobile,in-arenaandvideoon-demand.
InsightSportsoperatesthreespecialtytelevisionnetworks:GOLTVCanada( www.goltv.ca),a24-hoursoccernetwork;WFN:World
FishingNetwork(www.wfn.tv),NorthAmerica'sonlynetworkdevotedentirelytofishing;andGameTV( www.igametv.com),theonlyCanadiantelevisionnetworkthatgivesviewersachancetowingreatprizeseveryday,simplybytuningin.ThecompanyownsandoperatestheGrandSlamofCurling,themostprestigiouseventsontheWorldCurlingTourandFordMajorLeagueGamingCanada(www.mlgcanada.com),anaffiliateofMajorLeagueGamingandthelargestorganizedleagueandinternationalsanctioningbodyforprofessionalvideogaming.InsightSportsalsomanagesWayneGretzky'sofficialwebsite,www.gretzky.comandholdsasignificantinterestintheNHLNetwork(www.nhlnetwork.ca),a24-hourhockeychannel.
AquilaProductionsInc.,aleaderinsportstelevisionproduction,isawhollyownedsubsidiaryofInsightSports.BasedinToronto,theprincipalshareholdersofInsightSportsincludeLarryTanenbaum(KilmerEnterprisesInc.,asubsidiaryofKilmerVanNostrandCo.Limited)andMWI&Partners.Formoreinformationseewww.insightsports.com.
AboutCapitalOneLocatedinToronto,Ontario,CapitalOnehasofferedCanadianconsumersarangeofcompetitiveMasterCard creditcardssince1996,whenthecompanyfirstintroducedthePlatinumMasterCard inCanada.CapitalOneCanadaisadivisionofCapitalOneBank,asubsidiaryofCapitalOne,N.A.ofMcLean,Virginia(NYSE:COF).
ContactEricMichalko,InsightSportsLtd.416-593-0915,ext.253647-669-0900(cell)[email protected]
PamGirardo,[email protected]
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LAUNCH OF FIRST EVER NATIONAL CREDIT EDUCATION WEEK - NOVEMBER 13 – 16TH
CreditCanadaandCapitalOneCanadatakeimportantfirststeptoeducateCanadiansaboutfinancialmanagement.Toronto,ON(November13th,2007)–Today,CreditCanadaandCapitalOneCanadaproudlylaunchedthefirstannualCreditEducationWeekwhichrunsfromNovember13thtoNovember16th.ThenationallaunchtookplaceinTorontoattheUniversityofToronto'sHartHouse,whereanopenCampusFairwasunderwayforthebenefitofstudentsandyoungpeople.
Duringthelaunch,theresultsofanationalconsumersurveyofmorethan4,000Canadianswerereleased.ThesurveyclearlyshowedthatthemajorityofCanadiansdonothaveasufficientunderstandingofbasicpersonalfinanceandcredit.
"Thefindingsofthissurveyareacalltoaction.Toknowthat90percentofCanadiansfeelthattheyhavemoredebttodaythantheydidfiveyearsagoisanobviousindicationthatCanadiansneedtolearnhowtomanagetheirmoneybetter,"saidValentineLovekin,presidentandchairmanoftheBoardforCreditCanada."Clearly,CanadiansarestrugglingwiththefinancialbasicsandwehopethatCreditEducationWeekcanbeafirststeptohelpCanadiansacquiretheknowledgeandskillstheyneedtotakecontroloftheirfinancialdestiny."
ForCreditEducationWeekco-sponsor,CapitalOne,theresultsofthesurveyconfirmedthecompany'sdecisiontoinvestinthisvaluableinitiativetohelpeducateCanadiansaboutfinancialmanagement.
"Formanypeople,managingpersonalfinancesandmakingdecisionsaboutmoneymanagementcanseemdaunting,butarmedwiththerightinformationandagroundinginthebasicsoffinance,makingsmartchoicesismucheasier,"saidRobLivingston,ChiefMarketingOfficerofCapitalOneCanada."AtCapitalOne,wetakefinancialeducationveryseriouslyandwanttocontributeourknowledgeandadvicetohelpCanadiansgainabetterunderstandingoftheimportanceofmanagingtheirfinanceswisely."
ThestudyresultsmakeitclearthatmanyCanadianscouldbenefitfrommorefinancialinformationandeducation.Highlightsfromthepollcanbefoundattheendofthisrelease(orthefullresultsonlineonthemediapageatwww.crediteducationweekcanada.com).
CreditCanadaandCapitalOnewerejoinedbyanumberofotherpartners,includingVisaCanada,RoyalBank,andAssetaswellasothersupportersinlaunchingCreditEducationWeek.Arecognizedadvocateforfinancialeducation,LindaLeatherdale,wastheM.C.fortheevent,alongwith"FunnyMoney"creatorJamesCunningham,whodeliversasoundfinancialmanagementmessagewithahumoroustwist.OtherparticipantsincludedPranBahlofCreditCounsellingCanada,andHenriettaRossoftheOntarioAssociationofCreditCounsellingServices.
CreditEducationWeekwascreatedtoempowerCanadianstomakewisefinancialdecisions.Throughouttheweek,Canadianswillbegivenfreeaccesstoexpertfinancialadvicethroughcampusfairs,tradeshows,andseminars.AnewWebsitehasalsobeencreated:visit(www.crediteducationweekcanada.com)foronlinetipsandtoolstohelpCanadianslearnhowtomanagetheirfinancesmoreeffectively.
AboutCreditCanadaCreditCanadaisanon-profitcharitableservicethathasassistedthousandsofpeoplewithcreditcounsellinganddebtmanagementprogramssince1966.CreditCanadaisamemberoftheOntarioAssociationofCreditCounsellingServicesandaCharterMemberofCreditCounsellingCanada
AboutCapitalOneLocatedinToronto,Ontario,CapitalOnehasofferedCanadianconsumersarangeofcompetitiveMasterCard creditcardssince1996,whenthecompanyfirstintroducedthePlatinumMasterCard inCanada.CapitalOneCanadaisadivisionofCapitalOneBank,asubsidiaryofCapitalOneFinancialCorporationofMcLean,Virginia(NYSE:COF)
NationalConsumerStudyHighlightsFifty-threepercentofCanadiansdonothaveapersonal/householdbudget;oneinthree(34%)CanadianswhohaveabudgetdonotfollowitregularlyEightypercentofCanadiansdonotknowtheircreditscoreWelloverhalf(63percent)donotknowhowacreditscoreisdeterminedOne-quarter(26percent)ofCanadiansdonotconsidertheconsequencesofarisinginterestratewhenborrowingmoneyTwenty-eightpercentofCanadiansdon'tknowtheinterestrateoftheircreditcardsOverhalf(53percent)ofCanadiansdonotcontributetotheirRRSPeachyearMorethanhalfofallCanadians(55%)admittohavingmoreexpensesthanincomeatleastonemonthayear,with14percentsaying
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that'strueforsixmonths,andsixpercentsaytheyhavemoreexpensesthanincome12monthsoftheyear.61percentofCanadiansdonothaveafinancialadvisor52percentofCanadiansarenotawareoffreecreditanddebtcounsellingservicesavailableinCanadaFurthermore,thestudyrevealsthatCanadiansworryingabouttheirfinancialsituation:30percentofCanadiansfeelthattheywillnotbeabletoretireuntilaftertheageof6517percentofCanadianswillneedtomakemajorchangestospendinghabitsandwillneedtoconsideranactionplantohelpavoidbankruptcyiftheirincomeweretodropby10%Completesurveyresultsareavailablebyvisiting www.crediteducationweekcanada.com/media.
SurveyMethodologyThesearesomeofthefindingsfromaTorqueMarketIntelligencepollconductedonbehalfofCreditCanada.TheonlinesurveywaslaunchedonMay24,2007,withthefinalresultssubmittedonJune26,2007.Itisbasedonarandomlyselectedsampleof4,487adultCanadians.Themarginoferroris±1.46percentagepoints(19outof20).
FEAR OF IDENTITY THEFT MAKING CANADIANS WARY TO SHOP ONLINE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Hecticseasoncanmeanincreasedrisk;CapitalOneofferstipstomakesureconsumersareprotected.Toronto,ON(December12,2007)–CapitalOne'sthirdannualidentitytheftsurveyrevealsthatthemajorityofCanadians(72%percent)continuetobeconcernedaboutidentitytheftandtheseconcernsareimpactinghowtheyshop–particularlyonline.Accordingtothesurvey,onethird(33%percent)ofCanadianssaidtheydon'tmakepurchasesonlineandmorethanhalf(56%percent)haveeithernotcompletedorevenbackedoutofanonlinepurchasebecauseofconcernsaboutsecurityandidentitytheft.
"Theholidayseasonisahectictimeforeveryoneandbeingdiligentaboutprotectingyourselffromidentifytheftisn'talwaysatthetopofthe'to-do'list.Unfortunately,thismakesconsumersevenmorevulnerabletobecomingavictimofidentitytheft,whethertheyareshoppingonlineorinthestores,"saidPamGirardoofCapitalOneCanada."Whatmostpeopledon'trealizeisthatifbecomeareavictim,itcantakeaconsiderableamountoftimeandefforttoclearupcreditrecordsandrepairthefinancialdamagecausedbythecrime."
Despitegrowingawarenessofthesecrimes,only36%percentofCanadianssaytheyarewellinformedabouthowtoprotectthemselvesfromidentitytheft,andonethird(33%percent)saytheyknowsomeonepersonallywhohasbeenavictim.Nearlyone-thirdofCanadians(31%percent)saythatwhiletheyhearalotaboutidentifytheft,theyarenotsurewhatitmeans.
Knowingwhattodointheeventyouridentityisstolenisalsocriticallyimportant.Whilesixty-twopercent(62%percent)ofCanadiansthoughttheywouldknowwhattodotoprotectthemselvesandrestoretheircredit,furtherquestioningrevealedsomesignificantknowledgegaps:Nearlytwo-thirdsofCanadians(65%percent)donotreviewtheircreditreportannually.Reviewingyourreportforerrorsisthebestwaytocatchidentitytheftearly.OverhalfofCanadians(52%percent)believedthattheyonlyhadtoalertoneofthetwonationalcreditbureausaboutanidentitytheftincident.Infact,consumersmustcontactbothofthebureaustofileareport.OnethirdofCanadians(33%percent)thoughtthattheydidnotneedtoalertthepolicesolongastheymadeareporttothecreditbureaus.Identitytheftisacrimeandthepoliceneedtobeinformed."Therearecertainredflagsthatwelookoutforasafinancialinstitutiontohelpprotectourcustomersfromidentitytheft,butit'sequallyimportantthatwearmconsumerswithinformationtohelpthemminimizetheirrisk,"saysPamGirardoofCapitalOne."Carefullyreviewingbillsandcreditreportsforerrorsandshreddingimportantdocumentsarejustafewofthesimplestepsthatconsumerscan–andshould–taketohelpprotectthemselvesfromthesecrimes."
CapitalOneoffersthefollowingtipstoprotectconsumersfromidentitytheftthisholidayseason:Protectyourcreditcardusingsimplemeasuressuchassigningthebackofthecard,placingpasswordsonneworexistingaccountsandbeingvigilantwhenpurchasesarebeingprocessed.Safeguardyourpersonalinformation–donotshareordiscloseyourPINnumber(s),holdyourmailifawayfromhomeontravel,andsecureyourbelongings(purses/wallets)inpublicplaces.Streamlineyourwallet–Beforeyouheadtothemalls,cleanoutyourwalletandtakeonlythecreditcards,checksand/orcashthatyouneedfortheday.Holdontoyourreceipts–Keepreceiptswithyouratherthanputtingitinthebag–andgetgiftreceiptsthatcanbeusedforreturnsorexchanges.Keeptheoriginalsinasafeplaceandshredthemafteryou'recertainthechargesmatchtothoseonmonthlybankandcreditcardstatements.
Whenshoppingonline:LookforsignsthataWebsiteissafe–Onlybuyfromaselleryoutrustandlookforsignsthatthesiteissecure,suchasaclosedpadlockonthebrowser'sstatusbar.Whenyou'reaskedtoprovidepaymentinformation,thebeginningoftheWebsite'sURLaddressshouldchangefromhttptoshttporhttps,indicatingthatthepurchaseisencryptedorsecured.Don'tfallforafalseemailorpop-up–Neverrespondtoemailsorinstantmessagesthataskyoutoprovideaccountinformationfor"verification."Usefirewalls,anti-spyware,andanti-virussoftware–andkeepthemuptodate–toprotectyourhomecomputer.Considerhowyou'llpay–Creditcardsgenerallyareasaferoptionbecausetheyallowbuyerstoseekacreditfromtheissueriftheproductisn'tdeliveredorisn'twhatwasordered.Keepapapertrail–Printandsaverecordsofyouronlinetransactions,includingtheproductdescriptionandprice,theonlinereceipt,andcopiesofanyemailyouexchangewiththeseller.Readyourcreditcardstatementsassoonasyougetthemtomakesuretherearen'tanyunauthorizedcharges.
Fivekeystepstotakeimmediatelyifyouareavictim:Callthetwonationalcreditbureausandrequestthatafraudwarningoralertbeplacedonyourcreditfileandrequestcopiesofyourcreditreportforreview.TransUnionCanadacanbereachedat1.877.525.3823and1-877-713.3393inQuébec;EquifaxCanadacanbereachedat1.877.323.2598.
Fileapolicereportandrequestacopyofthereportorcasenumber.Banksandcreditorsoftenneedproofofacrimetoerasedebtscreatedbyidentitytheft.Contactallcreditorstoalertthemofyoursituationsothatnewaccountsarenotapprovedoropenedinyournamebyimpostors.ProtectyourbankaccountsbycancellingABMcardsthatarecompromisedinanyway,requestingstoppaymentsonstolenchequesandaddingapasswordtoaccounts.ContactPhoneBustersNationalCallCentre(1-888-495.8501)toreportthecrime.FormoreinformationandresourcesonidentitytheftandtodownloadtheIdentityTheftGuideforVictimspleasevisitCapitalOne'swebsiteatwww.capitalone.ca.
SurveyMethodologyTheIpsosReidsurveywasconductedfromDecember11thto13th,2007.Forthesurvey,arepresentativerandomlyselectedsampleof1,000adultCanadianswasinterviewedbytelephone.Marginoferroris±3.02percent.
AboutCapitalOneLocatedinToronto,Ontario,CapitalOnehasofferedCanadianconsumersarangeofcompetitiveMasterCard creditcardssince1996,whenthecompanyfirstintroducedthePlatinumMasterCard inCanada.CapitalOneCanadaisadivisionofCapitalOneBank,asubsidiaryofCapitalOne,N.A.ofMcLean,Virginia(NYSE:COF).
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FREE RIDE HOME ON NEW YEAR'S EVE COURTESY OF CAPITAL ONE
Pro-AmproceedstogototheNationalJuniorGolfAcademytohelpat-riskyouthlearnvaluablelifeskills.Toronto,ON(December20/21,2007)–Forthefirsttimesincethelate1970's,TTCservicewillbefreefrom12:01to4:00a.m.onJanuary1,2008.Inotherwords,there'safreeridehomewaitingforyoufollowingNewYear'sEvecelebrations,courtesyofCapitalOne,alocalemployerandoneofthelargestcreditcardissuersinCanada.
"CapitalOneisproudtosupporttheeffortsthattheTTCandMADDareundertakingtoensurethesafetyofourcommunity,"saidBillCilluffo,President,CapitalOneCanada."Westrivetoensurethatouractionsmakeapositivecontributioninthemarketplaceandinthecommunitiesinwhichweliveandwork.ByeliminatingthehasslesassociatedwithtransportationonNewYear'sEve,we'rehelpingmakeourcommunityasaferplace."
TTCChairAdamGiambronesaid:"OnbehalfoftheTTC,IwouldliketothankCapitalOnefortheirhelpinprovidingextendedserviceonNewYear'sEve,makingsurepeoplehaveasafewayhomebypublictransit."
MADDTorontoChapterispleasedtopartnerwiththeTTCandCapitalOneonNewYear'sEve.ImpaireddrivingremainsCanada'snumberonecriminalcauseofdeath.Onaverage,eachandeveryday,4Canadiansarekilledand187Canadiansareinjuredinimpaireddrivingcrashes.
ChapterPresidentMarySultanasaid,"Forthemany,manyimpaireddrivingvictimsandtheirfamilies,NewYear'sEvecelebrationswillneverbethesame.Ourmessageis'Don'tdrivewhileimpaired.'Don'tgetintoavehiclewithsomeonewhoisimpaired.Don'tletyourfamilyandfriendsdriveafterconsumingalcoholordrugs.Ifyoudrink,plantoleaveyourcarathomeandtaketheTTC."
MADDTorontoChapteralsowouldliketothankCapitalOnefortheirfinancialsponsorship."CapitalOnecaresthatTorontoresidentsgethomesafelyafteraneveningofcelebrations.Together,wecanallmakethisNewYear'sEveahappyandsafeone."
TheTTCisextendingitsserviceonNewYear'sEvetoaccommodatecustomersreturninghomefrommidnightcelebrations.
NewYear'sEveTTCserviceMostbusandstreetcarrouteswithlate-eveningservicecontinueuntil3:00a.m.ExtratripsonallBlueNightroutesbetween3:00a.m.and4:00a.m.Yonge-University-SpadinaSubwayLasttrainsleaveUnionStationat3:32a.m.forFinchStationandat3:36a.m.forDownsviewStation.Bloor-DanforthSubwayLasttrainsleaveBloor-YongeStationat3:37a.m.forKiplingStation,andat3:34a.m.forKennedyStation.ScarboroughRTLasttrainleavesKennedyStationat4:04a.m.forMcCowanStation.SheppardSubwayLasttrainontheSheppardSubwayleavesSheppard-YongeStationat3:58a.m.forDonMillsStation.Formoreinformationonholidaytransitschedules,thepublicshouldcall416393-4636(INFO),sevendaysaweek,orlogontowww.ttc.ca.
ContactMarilynBolton,MediaRelations416-393-3741