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By rdnewsNOW staff

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Stay on the ball: Alberta RCMP share tips for Fraud Prevention Month

Mar 6, 2024 | 4:05 PM

This March, the Alberta RCMP say they will be sharing information and resources in support of the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association’s (ACCPA) Fraud Prevention Month campaign.

Officials say the campaign, which will include a weekly theme, seeks to educate Albertans on the many ways that fraudulent activity impacts their communities.

Mounties say this week’s theme focuses on online scams and frauds, which includes, but is not limited to:

• Romance scams;
• Phishing emails;
• Job scams;
• Buy and sell fraud;
• Lottery and/or prize scams;
• Tech repair scams; and,
• Impersonation scams.

How can you protect yourself from these types of scams? Here are some helpful resources:

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• Use strong and unique passwords for your online accounts;
• Learn the seven major red flags of phishing; and,
• Learn how to better protect your money from cyber criminals.

“As technology continues to evolve, scammers are finding new and innovative ways to convince a target that they are legitimate. Canadians can better protect themselves from these online tactics by learning how to secure your accounts, devices and digital connections.”

– Cpl. Sean Milne, Alberta RCMP Provincial Financial Crime Team

If you believe you may be a victim of fraud, or are currently being targeted by fraud, please report it to your local law enforcement and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501. Instances of compromised personal and/or financial information should be reported to your bank and credit card company. To learn more about the various types of frauds and scams, please visit the CAFC’s scam webpage.

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Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally issued the following statement on Fraud Prevention Month:

“This is the 20th year of Fraud Prevention Month, and Alberta’s government has been a proud supporter and participant every year because we are committed to protecting consumers while also ensuring we are a strong place for businesses to invest. We know that a protected consumer is a confident consumer, and that’s good for business. The Consumer Protection Act provides strong protection against unscrupulous business practices through enforcement tools, penalties, and other remedies to address and prevent unfair practices.

“As technology and communications evolve, so do the tactics fraudsters use. That’s why it’s so important that individuals, businesses, communities, and all levels of government work together. During Fraud Prevention Month, it’s important to highlight the supports in place to help consumers navigate the tricky waters of fraud.

“If you think someone has tried to scam or defraud you, be sure to report it to your local police agency or to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. For business-related scams, you can report them to Alberta’s Consumer Investigations Unit (CIU) by calling 1-877-427-4088. The CIU reviews consumer complaints, ensures compliance with consumer protection and tenancy laws, and assesses and investigates potential violations, including serious cases that may involve criminal offences such as fraud.

“We encourage Albertans to explore the resources we have available online and learn how to protect themselves against fraud. We have extensive educational materials available and the more we all learn how to identify scams and frauds and how we can protect ourselves, the more confident we will be and the less likely we will be taken advantage of.”

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