tops 10 scams 2018 simple · 2019. 3. 13. · scams recognize it. report it. stop it....
TRANSCRIPT
CANADA’S MOSTRECOGNIZED
SCAMS
RECOGNIZE IT.REPORT IT. STOP IT. #BBBTop10Scams
bit.ly/top10scams
TOP10SCAMS2 0 1 8
bbb.org
#BBBTop10Scamsbit.ly/top10scams
www.bbb.org/scamtracker
WHILE MORE PEOPLE ARE INFORMED ABOUT SCAMS THAN EVER, SO MANY OTHERS ARE STILL VULNERABLE.
SCAM TRACKER
The number of scam victims across Canada continues to grow and just 5% of victims actually come forward to report the crime.
BBB’s Annual National Top 10 Scams list is a warning and reminder to all Canadians. The list is comprised of data retrieved from the BBB Scam Tracker, our ten locations across Canada, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and issues identified by our community partners and sponsors.
Please read about them, remember the tips and share the warnings with your friends, families, and communities.
Spot a business or offer that sounds like an illegal scheme or fraud? Tell us about it! Help us to investigate and warn others by reporting what you know at
ROMANCE SCAMSMore than $22.5 million lost
Canadians are victimized financially, emotionally, psychologically and socially. Catphishing through online dating continues to be a very lucrative business for scammers.
Never send money to someone you have not met
Do not share personal or financial information on dating sites
Be wary of people who are out of the country or cannot meet you in person
INCOME TAX EXTORTION SCAMSMore than $6 million lost
One of the most prevalent scams. Look out for calls, texts, emails, and letters that fraudulently use CRA’s name to swindle money from you.
CRA does not make threatening calls or request information by phone or email
Delete texts and emails claiming to be from CRA
CRA does not accept payment in Bitcoin or through gift cards
ONLINE PURCHASE SCAMSMore than $3.5 million lost
Still one of the most diverse, ranging from fake websites and free trial traps to purchasing counterfeit goods and receiving fraudulent cheques from a buyer on sites like Craigslist.
Always shop on legitimate websites
Never wire money to someone you do not know
Beware of offers that are too good to be true
Always use reputable payment portals
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PHISHING SCAMSLosses Unknown
SUBSCRIPTION SCAMSLosses Unknown
Phishing takes place in many forms. However, fraudulent emails and fake websites continue to be a huge problem.
Do not share personal information or click on links in strange emails
Avoid pop-up ads and impulse spending online
Compare details of the invoice with your order
Be wary of online advertisements, free trial offers and pop-ups promoting skincare and cosmetic products, as well as weight loss and diet pills.
Be wary of websites where the terms and conditions are not available
Contact BBB to verify the business and see customer reviews
Look for pre-checked boxes that may sign you up for unwanted products and charges
EMPLOYMENT SCAMSMore than $4.5 million lost
Scammers send cheques with a significant overpayment and request that you forward excess funds to someone else. Cheques are fake and you will be held responsible to cover the costs
Do your research on a company before accepting a job offer. Look out for poor grammar, unrealistic salary offers and insufficient details about the job.
If you did not apply for a job, you did not get hired for one.
A legitimate company will not ask you to forward money for any reason or pay an administration fee.
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ADVANCE FEE LOANSAlmost $1 million lost
Scammers prey on people in a financial bind, especially if they do not qualify for loans through reputable lenders.
If a company demands money to secure a loan, walk away
Be suspicious if a company guarantees a loan before doing a credit check
Check BBB for reputable lending organizations
TECH SUPPORT SCAMSAlmost $1 million lost
Scammers call pretending to be computer techs from well-known companies like Microsoft or Apple. Eventually, they diagnose a non-existent problem and ask you to pay for unnecessary or hacker type services.
Only give control of your computer to a computer tech you contacted
Legitimate tech support companies do not call out of the blue
Do not click on links in unfamiliar emails
HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMSLosses Unknown
Door-to-door solicitors offer quick, low-cost repairs and then take payments without returning, do shoddy work, leave incomplete projects or create issues that dramatically raise the price.
Say no to cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, and high upfront payments
Check with BBB to see what other customers have experienced
Work with local businesses that have proper identification, licensing and insurance
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HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMS
BANK INVESTIGATOR SCAMSMore than $2 million lost
It starts with an early morning phone call from someone claiming to be a bank representative, law enforcement officer or an investigator. They tell you that there is fraudulent activity on your account and may ask for your credit card details to cancel the transaction or ask you to transfer funds to another account for protection.
Banks do not ask clients to transfer funds to another account for safekeeping
Be wary of early morning phone calls claiming to be from your bank
Check BBB for reputable financial institutions and investment firms
PASSWORD DAY#BBBPasswordDayMarch 15
Scammers are notorious for gaining access to online accounts. Do not give them an easy path to your money and personal information. March 15 is National BBB Password Day - a day dedicated to remembering the importance of changing your online passwords!
Changing your passwords on every single online account may seem extremely difficult. The BBB challenge for this year is to change the password for the top 3 online accounts that you would not want to get hacked!
Use at least 12 characters
Avoid words in the dictionary
Try using song lyrics
Avoid using family names
Try a combination of upper and lower case letters plus numbers and symbols
Password Tips:
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THE TRUST TRAP
SPONSORS
A feature on Affinity Fraud by the British Columbia Securities Commission
Did You Know?Investment recommendations from family and friends are the least recognized sign of fraud. Only 55% of Canadians considered recommendations from someone they trust as a red flag.
Reports of investment fraud to the BC Securities Commission often have one common element - victims decided to invest their money because of personal trust. This is the essence of Affinity Fraud. The scammer may choose to target people they know in the workplace or from community groups and social gatherings. They may also exploit connections among friends and family members, turning them into unwitting accomplices by getting them to share a rumor or tip about a lucrative investment. Recommendations from people you know are extremely tempting because they are received as endorsements you can trust. However, you should never solely rely on such recommendations to make investment decisions. Do your independent research and seek help from a registered advisor or you risk losing everything you invested.
For more information, visit bcsc.bc.ca
CompetitionBureau
Vancouver Police Department
vancouver.ca/police/
Bank of Canadabankofcanada.ca
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre antifraudcentre.ca
CompetitionBureau Canada
competitionbureau.gc.ca
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
rcmp-grc.gc.ca
British Columbia Securities Commission
bcsc.bc.ca
CONTACT USIf you believe you may be the victim of a scam, contact your local authorities and BBB.
Atlantic Provinces279-7071 Bayers RoadHalifax, NSB3L [email protected]/atlantic-provinces
Central & Northern Alberta16102 100 Ave.Edmonton, ABT5P [email protected]/edmonton
Central Ontario903-30 Duke St. WestKitchener, ONN2H [email protected]/kitchener
Eastern Ontario & the Outaouais505-700 Industrial Ave.Ottawa, ONK1G [email protected]/ottawa
Mainland British Columbia404-788 Beatty St.Vancouver, BCV6B [email protected]/mbc
Manitoba & Northwest Ontario1030 B Empress St.Winnipeg, MBR3G [email protected]/manitoba
Saskatchewan980 Albert St.Regina, SKS4R [email protected]/saskatchewan
Southern Alberta & East Kootenay5-1709 8 Ave. NECalgary, ABT2E [email protected]/calgary
Vancouver Island220-1175 Cook St.Victoria, BCV8V [email protected]/vancouver-island
Western Ontario206-190 Wortley Rd.London, ONN6C [email protected]/western-ontario