March is Fraud Prevention Month and the RCMP in conjunction with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) want to remind the public to be mindful of fraudsters looking to steal your money or identity.
“We receive hundreds of calls daily from Canadians who suspect that they are being targeted by scammers, and even some who have lost money,” said Sgt. Al Boulianne, the officer in charge of the CAFC. “Most don’t think it could happen to them, but fraudsters use increasingly sophisticated ways to target people of all ages. The impact of fraud on individuals, families and businesses can be devastating: retirement savings, homes, businesses and in some cases, lives have all been lost.”
Every day during Fraud Prevention Month, the CAFC will promote a different scam via social media. By raising awareness about some of the most common scams, as well as demonstrating the lengths fraudsters will go to to try to get your money or information, the CAFC and the RCMP hope to prevent you and your family members from becoming victims.
“The RCMP have a number of programs and initiatives in place to track fraud, and plays a crucial role in educating the public about scams and fraud,” said Assistant Commissioner Todd Shean, who is in charge of the RCMP’s Federal Policing Special Services. “Public awareness is an important educational tool in preventing the victimization of Canadians. We want Canadians to be on the lookout for new scams or variation of older scams so that they can better recognize them and protect themselves and their loved ones.”
If you or a family member has been a victim, report it to your local police and the CAFC. The CAFC does not conduct investigations but provides valuable assistance to law enforcement agencies all over the world by identifying connections among seemingly unrelated cases. Your information may provide the piece that completes the puzzle.
