REGINA — Almost everyone has been targeted by phone or email scammers at least once or twice, and law enforcement is hoping to offer residents the tools to protect themselves from falling victim.
March is Fraud Prevention Month, a campaign spearheaded by the RCMP and joined by law enforcement groups across Canada to help educate residents on how to avoid becoming victims of scams and fraud.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported that in 2021, 67,533 Canadians were victims of fraud and $380 million was lost to scams, based on data reported to the centre. This was a historic year for losses, said the RCMP, which increased 130 per cent from 2020.
As of the end of January, the CAFC said that 3,635 individuals have already fallen victim to fraud this year, losing a total of $34 million so far.
“Many don't think it could happen to them but last year's jump in reported financial losses demonstrates that that's not true,” said Chris Lynam, director of the CAFC and the RCMP National Cybercrime Coordination Unit.
The CAFC estimates that only approximately five per cent of fraud cases are reported, and trends are seeing a rise in online scams targeting Canadians.
Current trends are seeing more investment scams, especially involving cryptocurrency, as well as more scams taking advantage of consumers in the online marketplace. The top five most reported frauds last year were extortion, phishing, merchandise scams, service fraud and vendor fraud.
Investigation into these scams can be difficult for law enforcement, with fraudsters often located overseas which complicates the possibility of recovering victim’s money and bringing scammers to justice.
“While law enforcement and partners continue to work to prevent and disrupt fraudsters, we need Canadians to learn how to protect themselves and always report,” said Lynam.
Police say that the most effective tool available to prevent people falling victim to scams like these is public awareness.
The Regina Police Service, in the spirit of the national movement, launched an education campaign earlier this month to help residents protect themselves.
RPS has narrowed their advice to three easy-to-remember words: recognize, reject and report.
When facing a potential scam phone call or other form of contact, residents are reminded to slow down and think critically, in order to recognize techniques scammers may use.
“Fraudsters are successful because they capitalize on a victim’s emotions, trying to get them to react without thinking,” said a statement from RPS.
Phone calls or online messages that are unsolicited, asking for money or personal information and demanding a fast or immediate response could be suspect. Fraudsters sometimes pose as police investigating a crime or a financial institution, but may avoid using the actual name of the company they are supposedly from.
With email scams, police say to check if the sender’s email address is unusual, and if the formatting is strange or there are spelling errors in the text.
Some scam emails will offer a free prize or trial, or include an unsolicited request to change a password or payment detail. People are reminded not to open any links in a suspicious email or click on unusual pop-ups while browsing the internet, and that companies will not call you to let you know your computer has a virus.
Next, police said residents can reject the potential of becoming a target of a scam by protecting their personal information.
Monitor online accounts, employ anti-virus software and be cautious about doing business over the phone, including verifying any claims you hear with trusted friends, family or institutions.
Finally, residents are strongly encouraged to report their encounters with fraudsters and scammers, even if you don’t lose any money. This includes contacting police, as well as telling friends and family to warn them.
What scams are active in Sask. right now?
RPS has recently issued warning about several scams reported as active in Regina during the past few months, for residents to keep an eye out.
Police said they have reported incidents of scammers calling and posing as bank employees, warning that the potential victim’s credit cards have been compromised.
After warning the victim that their identity may have been shared, the scammer attempts to recruit the victim to help catch the criminals responsible. The scammer then asks them to purchase gift cards or cryptocurrency, sometimes in amounts in the thousands of dollars, and may even transfer the victim to the financial institution’s security department.
RPS reminds residents that financial institutions will not ask for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and advises anyone who receives one of these calls to hang up and contact your financial institution personally.
Residents have also reported a “grandparent scam” is once again targeting seniors in the area.
In early February, two cases were reported to RPS where a caller contacted an elderly person claiming to be their grandchild in need of money. One of those cases succeeded in defrauding the victim of nearly $8,000.
Scammers using this tactic often address the victim as “grandma” or “grandpa,” utilizing information the victim may offer without realizing to build credibility, before claiming they are in an urgent crisis and need an immediate transfer of money, often via courier or money transfer service. RPS said that this can be a red flag that the call is a scam.
Regina police said that anyone receiving this kind of call should take time to ask questions, request the caller’s phone number, and make an effort to confirm the story with other trusted sources — family members, or even by contacting the grandchild themselves.
Police are reminding the public that anyone can be a victim to scam artists, and it's important to stay aware of the possibility.
Anyone who has been a victim to a scam is asked to report it to their local police agency, as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre either using their online form or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
Oher information about known scams reported in Canada, what to do if you think you're a victim of fraud and how to report fraud can be found online from the CAFC.
