Fraud

Our goal is to keep our members  fraud-free!  We want to help you recognize, reject and report fraud. Scammers are always setting traps to separate you from your hard-earned money. We want you to be recognize the tricks fraudsters use and be prepared if a scam comes your way. Reject what they are trying to sell you or get you to do.  Tell them you intend on reporting them to the authorities. They are scared of being caught and they will back off if you tell them to.

For more information & to report fraud, visit antifraudcentre.ca.

• Little Black Book of Scams
• Top 10 Scams in Canada
• Mobile Device Security 
• Password Tips to Prevent Fraud.pdf

March is Fraud Month! 

​How to Protect Yourself - How much do you know about Fraud? 

• Be cautious! Don’t be afraid to hang up the phone, ignore an email or close your internet connection – and please, never be fooled by the offer of a valuable prize in return for a low-cost purchase.
• Do your homework! NEVER give out your personal information or make a purchase without really inspecting the vendor. How trusted is the company, and are you making your purchase through appropriate and secure channels?
• Bank statements, credit card bills, cheques, old tax returns and any other statements that have important personal information should be shredded or stored in a safe place once you’re done with them.
• Check your credit report annually and report any issues immediately.
• Never disclose your financial information, credit card number, driver’s license number or any bank information over the phone.

Scams and cybercrimes can touch anyone, anywhere and any time. If you or a family member have been affected, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — even if you didn't lose any money. If you or a family member did lose money, please contact your local police as well.

Know When You’re a Target

Health fraud is currently a major concern for Canadians. Scams include weight-loss schemes, cure-all promises, or products claiming amazing side-effects. Most “miracle cures” are really scams that will rob you of time, money and most importantly, your health. Always remain cautious and discuss any treatments with a qualified health professional before you proceed.

• Around 35% of Canadians say they’ve been victims of mass marketing fraud.
• 82% believe mass marketing fraud is currently on the rise. It’s commonly thought that education and understanding is the best way to fight this type of fraud.

1. Never send money via gift card, e-transfer or wire transfer to someone you have never met face-to-face. If they ask you to use a wire transfer, e-transfer, a prepaid debit card, or a gift card; those cannot be traced and are as good as cash. If these funds are sent to a cyber criminal, chances are, you won’t see your money again.
2. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails or text messages. Links, if clicked, will download malware onto your computer, smartphone, tablet, or whatever electronic device you’re using at the time and allows cyber thieves to steal your identity. Be very cautious with email or text that looks familiar; it could be fake. Instead, delete it if looks unfamiliar and block the sender. 
3. Double check your online purchase is secure before checking out. Look for the “HTTPS” in the URL (the extra s is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar. Better yet, before shopping on the website, make certain you are on the site you intended to visit, and their payment section is verified & secured. 
4. Use extreme caution when dealing with anyone you’ve met online. Scammers use dating websites, social media and many other sites to reach potential targets. They can quickly feel like a friend or even a romantic partner, but that is part of the con for you to trust them. Do NOT send money to anyone you do not know.
5. Don’t believe everything you see. Scammers are great at mimicking official seals, fonts, and other details. Just because a website or email looks official does not mean that it is. Caller ID is commonly faked.
6. Never share your personal identification with someone who has contacted you unsolicited, whether it’s over the phone, by email, on social media, or even at your front door. This includes your banking and credit card information, your birthdate, and Social Insurance number.
7. Resist the pressure to act immediately. Scammers typically try to make you think something is scarce or for a limited-time offer only. They want to push victims to make a decision right now before even thinking through it. Sometimes, they’ll advise against contacting anyone and just trusting them.
8. Use secure and traceable transactions. Do not pay by wire transfer, e-transfer, prepaid money card, gift card, or another non-traditional payment method. Say no to cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, high upfront payments, overpayments, and handshake deals without a contract. Read all of the small print on the contract and make sure to understand what the terms are.
9. Whenever possible, work with local businesses. Ask that they have proper identification, licensing, and insurance, especially contractors who will be coming into your home or anyone dealing with your money or sensitive information.
10. Be cautious about what you share on social media. Consider only connecting with people you already know. Check the privacy settings on all social media and online accounts. Imposters often get information about their targets from their online interactions and can make themselves sound like a friend or a family member because they know so much about you. Be sure to create stronge passwords and change them on a regular basis to ensure you are not the next target.