March: Fraud Prevention Month! What's the Government Doing?
By: Marie Mascarin Date: April 10,2024
March was Fraud Prevention Month and with the digital age that we live in it’s about keeping our digital lives secure! Did you know that our government is very concerned and active in helping you combat fraud.
In 2022, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received reports of over $530 million in victim losses due to fraud and cybercrime! And what’s startling is that only 5 to 10% of people filed a report.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Competition Bureau lead this year's campaign that was all about exposing fraudsters’ tricks, tools, and tactics.
It’s not just up to law enforcement, it is your responsibility to educate yourself and be aware of scams. Remember the CRA, your bank and most other organizations never call you so don’t fall prey to any of the scams that are out there. NEVER, never give out any personal information on the phone and NEVER sign a contract when someone knocks on your door unannounced. You need to recognize, reject, and report fraud.
If you have a social media account here are a few links that will help you stay in the loop:
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: [ [Facebook]( Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre)
- RCMP: [Twitter](link) / [Facebook]( https://RCMP)
- Competition Bureau: [Facebook]( https://Competition Bureau)
So, if you or someone you know falls victim to fraud, don't hesitate! Reach out to your local police service and report the crime. You can also report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or call them toll-free at 1-888-495-8501. Every report counts!
Here are a few quick facts:
- In 2022, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received a whopping 70,878 reports, with phishing, extortion, and personal information scams topping the charts!
- Investment scams, romance scams, and spear phishing were the biggest money-drainers in 2022.
- The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the National Cybercrime Coordination Centre are teaming up to develop a new national cybercrime and fraud reporting system.
Stay vigilant, stay informed, and let's keep our digital world safe, one post at a time!
