Fraud
What is it?
Fraud is the act of obtaining money, services or property by deceit. Hundreds of scams are used daily, incurring losses in the millions of dollars.
Minimize your Risk of Fraud
Financial gain is admittedly the reason behind most Identity and Mass Marketing Frauds. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and your information.
- Never enter your personal, credit card or online account information on a website that you are not certain is genuine.
- Check the website address carefully. Scammers often set up fake websites with very similar addresses.
- Never give out personal bank information over the telephone/email
- Destroy personal information, don’t just throw it out. You should cut up, burn or shred old bills, statements or cards.
- Never agree to withdraw large sums of cash from your account and send it to a stranger
- If you are suspicious about a transaction, check with family/friends and/or the Police before sending any money.
- Lottery agencies will never ask a winner to pay any fees up front to receive a prize, lottery or sweepstake.
- If the offer sounds suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is.
- Resist pressure to “act now”. Don’t let suspects pressure you into making quick decisions about money or investments.
Helpful Links
www.antifraudcentre.ca RCMP National Anti-Fraud Centre
www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes Bank of Canada
www.ibc.ca Insurance Bureau of Canada
www.bbb.org Better Business Bureau
www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca Ministry of Attorney General - includes small claims court
www.sse.gove.on.ca/mcs Ministry of Consumers Services – Consumer protection branch
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca Royal Canadian Mounted Police includes scams and frauds
|
|