Protect yourself from being scammed in 2025

Every year individuals and businesses are defrauded of millions of dollars, said Constable Chad Neustaeter, Media Relations Officer for the Fort St John RCMP. Statistics are believed to be much lower than actual numbers due to the grief and shame associated to the losses, hard working people suffer.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, between January 1, 2024 and October 31, 2024, 28,634 victims of fraud made 40,623 reports with a loss of $503 million dollars.

The best thing you can do is to protect yourself by educating yourself as to the types of scams that are out there, what you can do to recognize them and to take precautionary steps to guard yourself, said Constable Neustaeter.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is a fantastic resource to research different types of scams as well as ways to protect yourself.

Protect your personal information, don’t give out important information like middle names, birthdates, your social insurance number or credit card or banking information, especially over the phone or by email.

Be alert to types of scam techniques such as a business or individual approaching you and applying hi pressure tactics by telling you, you have to act now, don’t miss this opportunity, it’s a limited time offer or if the opportunity is too good to be true. Take your time, do your research and get a second opinion about it.

Beware of phone calls, text messages and emails from numbers and users you don’t know. Saying No is a strategy you can use by not answering calls from numbers you don’t recognize and you shouldn’t open emails from people you don’t know or addresses that you don’t recognize. If you do open a text or email that you are suspicious about, don’t click on links or open attachments, especially when you have received them unsolicited.

Also, beware of upfront fees.  Many frauds offer money or gifts that you just need to provide money for to pay for the taxes or pay for sending or transaction fees.  This is a huge red flag. 

Always try to purchase items in person by meeting the seller in a public place. Don’t refund money if someone sends you a cheque or e transfer that is too large especially if you have discussed and agreed on a specific amount.

If you are ever in doubt, take the time to talk to someone and get a second opinion like a family member or caring friend.

If you become a victim of a scam, talk about it, don’t hide it. First, report it to police and secondly, report it at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The information can be used to potentially assist in an investigation as well as provide statistics and information as to what current frauds are. 

Tell your friends and family. So often they are not aware of the different frauds that affect people and you can help protect them by sharing your story.

Additional resources to protect yourself are available from the RCMP about frauds and scams.