Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do secure emails protect my personal and financial information?

When a regular email is sent, it travels unencrypted to its recipient. Because the information in the email isn’t encrypted and doesn’t require a key or password to view, your confidential information can be intercepted, read and used fraudulently. On the other hand, if an encrypted email is intercepted, the thief won't be able to read its contents without the correct User ID or Password, keeping your private details safe.

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How do I access and read my secure emails?

If you’re already registered for secure email, sign in to the Message Center. We recommend you bookmark this site for future use. Once you’re signed in, you can find and open your secure email in the Message Center Inbox.

If you haven’t registered for secure email, the first time you get a secure email from your BMO Representative, you’ll receive a regular email with a link to register for the Message Center. After you’ve registered, you’ll be able to view your email in the Message Center following the steps above.

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Do I need special software to read encrypted email?

Good news, you don’t. The only software required is your internet browser. Our new service is compatible with multiple browsers including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Chrome.

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If I reply to a secure email, is my reply also encrypted?

Yes. When you reply to an email while in the Message Center, your response is also encrypted.

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Can I reply or forward secure emails to other people?

Secure email exchanges are limited to you, your BMO Representative(s) and anyone on the original email, so you can reply to people on the original email. You can also forward and compose new emails to other people with @bmo.com addresses.

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Can I reply to a secure email by replying to the notification in my regular email inbox?

Sorry, but no. Replying to the notification email will not send an encrypted response. You must sign in to the Message Center and reply to the email there to ensure it's encrypted.

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How can I be sure my information is safe and the notification email isn’t a phishing scam?

You should only receive secure emails from someone at BMO that you know, or have corresponded with before. All notifications will be sent from notification@secureportal.bmofg.com.

We will never send you an email asking you to provide personal or confidential information (such as your debit or credit card number, passwords or identification such as Social Insurance Number or Driver’s Licence).

If you receive a suspicious email saying it’s from BMO or a member of BMO Financial Group, do not reply or click on any links. Instead, report the suspicious email to phishing@bmo.com immediately.

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Are there any password requirements?

Your password must contain a minimum of 8 characters consisting of at least one uppercase character, one lowercase character and one number.

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How often should I change my password?

We recommend you change your password every 90 days. To do so, select "Forgot Your Password” on the Message Center sign in page.

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What is my email size limit?

Total size of the attachments can be up to 30MB for each encrypted email.

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Can I view my secure emails from my mobile device?

You sure can. Our secure email service is compatible with Android, iPhone and BlackBerry phones as well as tablets.

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If I get a new email address, do I need to register again?

Yes. If you change email accounts or want to get secure messages at multiple email addresses, you’ll need to register each one separately. You’ll also need to advise your BMO Representative to update your email address on file.

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What are the minimum browser requirements for accessing the Message Center?

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I got a message saying my account is locked. What do I do?

You can reset your password from the Message Center by selecting the ‘Reset Password’ option. If this doesn’t fix things, please contact your BMO Representative who will be happy to help sort it out.

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I forgot my password. How can I reset it?

Go to the Message Center sign in page, select "Forgot Your Password" and follow the instructions to reset your password from your desktop, laptop or mobile device.

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I can’t open the attachment on my mobile device. Now what?

Don’t worry, sometimes clicking on a message’s attachment link may start downloading the attachment instead of automatically opening it. If you still can’t open the attachment after it downloads, contact your BMO Representative.

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I received a notice saying my registration/new password is pending. What does that mean?

After you register or change your password, you’ll be sent an email with a link to activate your account or password. Don’t wait though, the link will expire in 8 hours.

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I need more help. Who should I talk to?

Sorry you can’t find the answer here. Please contact the BMO Representative who sent you the secure email for more help.

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I am not receiving Email, Email notifications any longer from BMO what should I do?

To ensure delivery of Emails be sure to follow these best practices:

  1. Add the notification@sureportal.bmofg.com address to your contacts list so BMO is a trusted sender.
  2. Contact your BMO Representative to confirm your email address is correct.

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How long will secure emails be stored in the Message Center?

Secure emails will be stored for 90 days. A notification will be sent 5 days before the emails expire.

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