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FRAUD PREVENTION MONTH
Red Deer RCMP provides tips for avoiding online scams
Mar 4, 2025 | 1:50 PM
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This Fraud Prevention Month, Red Deer RCMP are reminding residents about the importance of staying vigilant as more daily activities are taking place online and over the phone.
With this rise in digital communication, police warn that fraudsters are finding new ways to scam unsuspecting victims.
The RCMP provides the following tips for protecting yourself from online fraud and scams:
- Protect your computer and accounts, and be cautious of urgent-looking pop-ups and suspicious emails with spelling or formatting errors.
- Don’t click on unknown links or attachments.
- Use anti-virus software and keep your operating system up to date.
- Secure your online accounts with strong and unique passwords.
- Do not use the same password for numerous accounts.
- Don’t be afraid to say no. If a caller pressures you to buy something or send money immediately, hang up. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to manipulate victims.
- Confirm the legitimacy of businesses by checking official websites and contacting them directly before you act. If someone calls about a family member in trouble, reach out to others before acting.
- Guard your personal information and never share personal details (name, address, birthdate, banking info, etc.) unless you initiated the contact. You never know who’s on the other end of an unsolicited call or message.
- Beware of upfront fees. In Canada, legitimate prizes do not require fees or taxes to claim.
- If you didn’t enter a contest, you’re not a winner.
