If you've ever been a victim of fraud, you know how challenging it can be to get any of your money back.

That’s why during Fraud Prevention Month in March, the RCMP are concentrating on educating people about the many types of fraud that are perpetrated, how to protect yourself, and how to report it if you do become a victim.

“The biggest thing we feel we can do is to educate the people. We call it victim or target hardening. Give our victims tools. Get the people in the province of Alberta to understand the different types of frauds and to know that when something doesn’t feel right, or they’ve got some red flags happening, that probably whatever they’re involved in, could be a fraud,” said Corporal Laurel Scott.

Scott said there are almost too many types of fraud to count.

“There's a whole variety of frauds that happen. There’s online scamming, there’s the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) fraud that we hear about, there are romance frauds, there’s home improvement scams, there are job frauds when someone’s offering you employment and asking you to send money. The bottom line is, every time you’re asked to send money for something, chances are it’s a fraud.”

The RCMP have some tips for protecting yourself against fraud:

  • Don’t leave your personal identification in your car

  • Create a strong password

  • Ask yourself, can you purchase the item from a reputable source instead?

  • Reputable companies will not ask you for personal information through an email

  • Be wary of e-transferring money

  • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

Scott believes, while many people think the most likely victims of fraud are people who are vulnerable, such as seniors, that it can happen to every demographic of people.

“That sounds like a logical assumption that this person had to have been vulnerable to fall for a fraud, but that isn’t the case. The victims are from all different demographics. Young victims, older victims, victims with money, educated victims, different ethnicities. It’s across the board.”

Scott also said that often scammers try various scams at certain times of the year. The CRA scam where someone tries to bully people into paying a non-existent bill often happens at tax time in the spring. Scott says with the STARS Lottery wrapping up later this month, the RCMP are expecting calls reporting scammers who try to capitalize on a good cause.

“This would be a time that people would make random phone calls to people and tell them that they’ve won a prize with the STARS Lottery and in order to claim that prize, they ask them to send money. If you’re asked to send money for a prize, don’t do it, it’s a scam.”

If you feel you’ve been victimized by a fraud, Scott advises you to call your local police and also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. You can get in touch online here.

 

Questions? Comments? Story ideas? email us at news@discoverairdrie.com