**** RCMP Media Release
Be in the know to stay one step ahead of scammers
March is Fraud Prevention Month and the Nova Scotia RCMP wants you and your loved ones to stay one step ahead of scammers.
Every year, thousands of Canadians, including Nova Scotians, fall victim to fraud, losing millions of dollars. Many don’t think it can happen to them, but fraudsters use sophisticated ways to target people of all ages. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Nova Scotians lost $442,639.44 to fraudsters in 2019.
The top five scams in Nova Scotia in 2019 based on dollar losses were:
1 – Spear Phishing
Scammers pretend to be from legitimate sources to convince businesses or individuals to send them money.
2 – Merchandise scams
Scammers sell fake or poor quality products and advertise them as authentic higher quality products at low prices so the victim thinks they’re getting a good deal.
3 – Job scams
Scammers target those looking for jobs to tell them they have a perfect opportunity for them. Beware of those who ask you to send a cheque or deposit money into an account.
4 – Service scams
Scammers pretend to represent a well-known computer based company and claim the victim’s computer has viruses, or has been hacked, and must be cleaned. The victim pays for a service that was never needed.
5 – Extortion
Scammers will make threats to try get money, property or services from a person or business.
The best way to fight these types of crimes is through awareness and education. Throughout the month of March, Nova Scotia RCMP is sharing tips and tricks on social media to help you fight fraud, so be sure to follow us on Facebook (Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nova Scotia) and Twitter (@RCMPNS). Visit the Competition Bureau of Canada’s Little Black Book of Scams (http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/04333.html) to learn about the twelve most common scams affecting Canadians, how to protect yourself and what to do if you’re a victim.
