Fraud Awareness
Spreading Awareness About Fraud and Recent Fraud Trends
Your protection and safety is important, especially in this world of constant change. It can be hard to keep up with the latest scams so we have compiled the resources here for you. Be sure to check back often as we continue to add updates on the newest scams and fraud schemes.
How to Report a Fraud
Gather what information you have about the fraud that occurred.
- The person's name, the reason they approached/contacted you and when
- How you were contacted
- If the contact was online, take screen shots of the webpages, conversations or any information you may have
- Keep any documentation you have such as receipts, copies of emails or text messages, shipping information, brochures or service agreements
Notify your financial institution and/or credit card company right away. Depending on the type of fraud and whether or not money has been lost, there may be ways your credit union or bank can help you recover those funds. Your financial institution can also place a flag on your accounts to monitor for suspicious activity or open you a new account.
Report the fraud to the RCMP. It is important to let local law enforcement know that a fraud has occurred as it may be part of a bigger scheme and there are likely other victims of the same fraud. This helps the investigation and aids in catching the perpetrators. Provide the RCMP with a copy of any of the information you were able to gather in Step 1.
Contact Transunion and Equifax, Canada's national credit bureaus, to put a fraud alert on your account.
Report the fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has an online tool or toll free number 1-888-495-8501
Tips to Protect Yourself
Here are some tips to help you protect yourself from fraud:
- Use strong passwords for your accounts
- Protect your computer and devices by keeping them up to date and using antivirus software
- Setup multi-factor authentication to make it difficult for someone else to access your accounts
- Update your privacy settings on your social media accounts
- Check your bank accounts regularly so you can report unusual activity right away
- Read the terms and conditions, especially in regards to payment policies and fraud protection
- Never accept or send money to a third party. You may unknowingly be participating in something illegal
- Don't be afraid to say "NO". If you receive a high-pressure sales call request information in writing or hang up. It's ok, to be firm and say no
- Think before you click. Take a few minutes to ask questions and listen to your instincts. If you still aren't sure, ask someone you trust
- Keep yourself up to date with current fraud schemes and share with your friends and family what you know
- Do not trust your call display, fraudsters have figured out how to spoof names and phone numbers
- Do not provide your personal or financial information
- Do not open attachments or click links in unsolicited emails/text messages
- If you have become a victim of fraud, make sure to report it! Do not be embarrassed, the fraudsters use very sophisticated tactics and are evolving everyday.
Want to test your knowledge of fraud? Take this quiz
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Information
Top 10 Scams in 2021
Find out about the top scams from 2021 so you can protect yourself!
Crypto Investment Scams
Learn about the various crypto investment scams and how to protect yourself.
Extortion Scams
Unfortunately, this happens all the time. Fraudsters try to impersonate legitimate people or businesses. What are the warning signs?
Emergency/Grandparent Scam
What do you do when a family member is in trouble and needs your help? How do you know if this is a scam?
Bank Investigator
Learn about the ways fraudsters are pretending to be bank investigators. Keep your bank card information and pin number safe.
Violent Extortion
Learn about the violent extortion text messages that are being sent. Remember not to reply to threatening messages and do not send money under pressure.
CRA Phishing Email
Fraudsters are impersonating the CRA in phishing emails. Be careful of the emails you are receiving, especially if they are asking you to click a link and then enter your financial information. The CRA will not ask you to do this. The attached screenshots show a fraudulent email and the "from" email address is not the CRA.
Spoofing
Fraudsters can manipulate phone numbers, email addresses, and websites to mislead victims and convince them that they are the legitimate organization or company.
12 Scams of the Holidays
Learn about the 12 most popular holiday scams.
Investment Scams
Did you know that investment scams were the highest reported scams based on dollar loss in 2021. Learn how to protect yourself and know the warning signs.
Tech Support Fraud
There have been reports of fraudsters sending emails to victims with fake invoices in an attachment. Never open attachments from emails you were not expecting.
Top 10 Scams in 2021
Find out about the top scams from 2021 so you can protect yourself!
Crypto Investment Scams
Learn about the various crypto investment scams and how to protect yourself.
Extortion Scams
Unfortunately, this happens all the time. Fraudsters try to impersonate legitimate people or businesses. What are the warning signs?
Emergency/Grandparent Scam
What do you do when a family member is in trouble and needs your help? How do you know if this is a scam?
Bank Investigator
Learn about the ways fraudsters are pretending to be bank investigators. Keep your bank card information and pin number safe.
Violent Extortion
Learn about the violent extortion text messages that are being sent. Remember not to reply to threatening messages and do not send money under pressure.
CRA Phishing Email
Fraudsters are impersonating the CRA in phishing emails. Be careful of the emails you are receiving, especially if they are asking you to click a link and then enter your financial information. The CRA will not ask you to do this. The attached screenshots show a fraudulent email and the "from" email address is not the CRA.
Spoofing
Fraudsters can manipulate phone numbers, email addresses, and websites to mislead victims and convince them that they are the legitimate organization or company.
12 Scams of the Holidays
Learn about the 12 most popular holiday scams.
Investment Scams
Did you know that investment scams were the highest reported scams based on dollar loss in 2021. Learn how to protect yourself and know the warning signs.
Tech Support Fraud
There have been reports of fraudsters sending emails to victims with fake invoices in an attachment. Never open attachments from emails you were not expecting.